BREAKING: US Visa Ban Threatens West Africa’s Economic Growth — Foreign Minister
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| Yusuf Tuggar |
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has strongly criticized a potential United States visa restriction affecting all ECOWAS countries, warning that the move could undermine regional prosperity, trade, and diplomacy.
Speaking at the 54th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council in Abuja on Wednesday, Tuggar said the policy, if implemented, would be damaging to US–West Africa relations, particularly at a time when the region is ripe for economic partnerships and security cooperation.
“It would be most unfortunate if this happens. We are a region of opportunities ready to do deals. Visa restrictions are non-tariff barriers to those deals,” he said.
Missed Opportunities for Strategic Alliances
Tuggar described the visa limitations as both a diplomatic setback and an economic blunder, especially given West Africa’s rich resource base, including critical minerals and rare earth elements like Samarium, which he noted is found in Bauchi State, Nigeria.
“We’ve long been part of the international trade system—even before modern states. We know how to make deals,” Tuggar added.
He called on the United States to reconsider its approach, warning that West Africa has alternative partners ready to invest and collaborate.
“We’ll do deals for our prosperity. The question is: who wants in? Who is willing to allow business leaders, government officials, and entrepreneurs to move freely and close those deals?” he challenged.
Trump’s Travel Ban Targets 25 African Nations
Reports indicate that U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing a new travel ban list, which includes Nigeria and over 20 other African nations. The U.S. State Department cited issues like:
Weak civil documentation systems
Non-cooperation by central governments
Rampant fraud in identity verification
Countries affected include:
Nigeria, Angola, Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Egypt, and others.
These nations have 60 days to meet new compliance standards or face full travel bans.
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