US Visa Ban: Shehu Sani Urges Nigerians to Stay Home, Develop Country as Restrictions Bite

US Visa Ban: Shehu Sani Urges Nigerians to Stay Home, Develop Country as Restrictions Bite

Former senator and outspoken lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has urged Nigerians to focus on developing their country rather than seeking opportunities abroad, following the sweeping United States visa restrictions imposed on Nigeria and other countries.

The call comes amid a new US proclamation barring citizens of 24 countries, including Nigeria, from entering the United States under several immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories, such as B-1/B-2 (business and tourism), F (academic studies), M (vocational studies) and J (exchange programmes).

The US government cited security concerns, difficulty in vetting applicants, and a high rate of visa overstays by Nigerians, alongside threats posed by extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, as reasons for the decision. Official data showed Nigeria recorded 5.56 per cent visa overstay on B1/B2 visas and 11.9 per cent on F, M and J visas.

Out of the 24 affected countries, Africa accounts for 17, a development Sani believes underscores the failure of leadership in many third-world countries to build viable economies capable of retaining their citizens.

Sani argued that the visa restrictions send a clear message that developing nations are unwelcome due to persistent underdevelopment, poor governance and economic fragility. However, analysts note that while his prescription of “staying at home to develop the country” may be ideal, it is difficult to achieve in the short term given global inequalities, economic interdependence and Nigeria’s current realities.

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Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship, unemployment, poor infrastructure and insecurity have driven thousands of citizens to seek greener pastures abroad, legally and illegally. Having family members overseas is increasingly viewed as a marker of success, further fuelling irregular migration and visa overstays.

Observers argue that while the US has the sovereign right to regulate its borders, the growing weaponisation of visa policies highlights the stark imbalance between developed and developing nations. Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over religious extremism and the recent visit of a US fact-finding delegation further signal Washington’s heightened scrutiny of the country.

Although the US noted that the restrictions could be reversed if affected countries address the underlying issues, experts warn that factors such as poverty, joblessness, and weak governance will continue to drive migration pressures.

For now, Nigerians face tighter scrutiny, delays and denials, with consequences for education, exchange programmes, business travel, and the country’s global image. Analysts say only sustained economic development, security reforms, and responsible leadership can break the cycle of underdevelopment that exposes Nigerians to humiliation abroad.

US Visa Ban: Shehu Sani Urges Nigerians to Stay Home, Develop Country as Restrictions Bite