Report: Nigeria’s Refusal to Host Asylum Seekers Behind Trump’s Visa Clampdown

Nigeria’s refusal to accept asylum seekers from the United States is partly behind the recent visa restrictions imposed by President Donald Trump, TheCable reports.

According to the Newspaper, diplomatic sources said Trump had been putting pressure on many countries to serve as temporary homes for asylum seekers until their cases are processed — a process that can take up to seven years. While some nations agreed, Nigeria has refused to be part of the arrangement.

Talks between both countries were part of broader demands from the Trump administration, including a request for US citizens to electronically apply for Nigeria’s five-year visa without embassy visits. Nigeria reportedly declined, citing a lack of reciprocity.

In retaliation, the US embassy on Tuesday slashed the validity and entry allowance for most non-diplomatic Nigerian visas, limiting stays to three months with a single entry. This move triggered widespread backlash, with Nigerian authorities saying the policy “appeared to be misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect.”

Despite social media claims, Nigeria did not revoke the five-year visa for Americans. The current Nigerian visa still allows for “three months to five years, with either single or multiple entry.”

See Also

93 Abducted Kaduna church members released, 73 left in captivity

The Cable also learnt the US demanded access to Nigeria’s criminal database to identify citizens with prior convictions now residing in the US. This request, alongside other security and data-sharing demands, is yet to be agreed upon.

Nigeria’s recent alignment with BRICS and its absence from Trump’s African leaders’ meeting at the White House may have further soured relations.