The warning came from Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who described the potential visa ban policy as a major setback for regional integration, trade, and diplomatic engagement.
Speaking at the opening of the 54th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level in Abuja on Wednesday, Tuggar cautioned that the proposed restrictions risk undermining years of diplomatic progress between West Africa and the United States.
“Such restrictions could stifle efforts to deepen U.S.–West Africa relations, particularly at a time when the region is ripe for economic cooperation and security collaboration,” Tuggar said.
He added: “It would be most unfortunate if it comes to pass, because we are a region of opportunities ready to do deals. We would like to do deals with the U.S., but visa restrictions are non-tariff barriers to deals.”
While highlighting the strategic potential of the region, Tuggar stressed: “ECOWAS countries and the U.S. have a rare opportunity to create a partnership based on principles of need. We are also a strategic alternative to more distant and politically divergent energy producers.”
Trump’s proposed immigration ban
In what could mark a major expansion of U.S. immigration policy, the administration of President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing the extension of its travel ban to include citizens from 36 more countries, with 25 of them located in Africa.
Earlier this month, a visa ban targeting 12 countries, with seven in Africa and the rest in the Middle East, took effect, halting new visa issuances to citizens of those nations and imposing additional restrictions on seven others.
While this proposed policy remains under consideration and has not been officially announced, sources with knowledge of the matter indicate that the Trump administration is evaluating a proposal to impose stricter immigration restrictions on several African countries, including almost all members of the ECOWAS bloc.
A classified memo points to visa overstay rates and weaknesses in national security screening processes as the primary justifications for the potential travel restrictions.
Should the plan move forward, these countries could soon face enhanced visa scrutiny or outright bans affecting specific types of travel to the United States, pending further internal review.
The document, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio was reportedly circulated to U.S. diplomats working with the affected countries.
It gives those governments a 60-day window to comply with new security and data-sharing requirements established by the State Department. The memo also directs them to submit an initial roadmap detailing how they intend to address Washington’s concerns.
