The recent visa restrictions announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump have stirred concern among Nigerians in the diaspora.
On July 8, Trump unveiled new travel limitations targeting Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and Ethiopia.
The decision has left many questioning the implications for their travel plans, academic pursuits and professional ambitions in the United States.
The new measures build on an earlier presidential proclamation issued on June 4, which imposed either total or partial visa restrictions on 19 countries, many of which are in Africa or the Middle East.
As the policy takes effect, Nigerians with ties to the U.S. are beginning to feel its impact. The restrictions, unlike those under former President Joe Biden, are far more stringent and are already affecting travelers, students, and professionals.
“Every Nigerian I know, knows someone who has been impacted by Trump and his agenda,” said Dr. Charles Olawole, 51, a Nigerian-born theologian, who lives in Upper Marlboro, but has been a naturalized citizen for 26 years.
Olawole, who heads The Pan-African Unity Summit Group, explained that many Nigerians are worried, uncertain and feeling vulnerable under the new immigration climate.
“He’s targeting documented and undocumented people who come from specific countries. He has allowed rampant visa abuse and invoked oppressive travel bans,” Olawole said.
“Even those with green cards are, for the first time in history, afraid and uncertain about their own travel status.”
However, not all Nigerians share Olawole’s concerns. Some, like Sylvester Okere, have expressed strong support for Trump, praising what they see as bold and honest leadership.
“He’s a leader who says what he means, means what he says and calls a spade a spade,” he said.
“One of the biggest problems in Africa is poor leadership and inefficient government and after years of neglect, Nigerians like me simply want to see what good leadership is all about.”
Now residing in Columbia, Maryland, Okere, the youngest of 11 children, said he tried to hold on to his Nigerian roots while advocating for strong values and accountability.
“Africans believe in traditional values, family, God, and country. “What we don’t like is when we are used as pawns in a political game of chess. Africa already has what it needs to feed itself, but we need solid leadership, better training and a greater commitment to preparing youth for the future.”
“I was tired of seeing folks pose for photo ops and use people for their own political gains. Nigerians want a leader not a politician. We want someone who clearly loves his country and his people and will fight for them. We want someone who can teach us how to fish so we don’t need handouts. That’s why a lot of us support Trump.”
As fears mount within the community, organizations like The Nigerian Center in Washington, D.C., reported noticeable uptick in inquiries and visits from concerned immigrants since the policy announcement.
“The worst thing is how these policies are separating families. My people are suffering from fear, mental anguish and depression. They’re even afraid to gather in places where they’ve received encouragement and passed on their traditions to future generations: schools, grocery stores, and churches.”
Olawole added that the policy has also triggered ripple effects across the African continent, where many are anxious about what further changes to U.S. foreign policy could mean for aid, healthcare, and travel.
“With the cuts in medical assistance, we’re already seeing a rise in cases of malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis,” Olawole continued. “God only knows what will happen if we see another pandemic like COVID develop.”
Gbenga Ogunjimi, the founder of The Nigerian Center, understood the challenges firsthand and said his organization is designed to help ease the burden on new immigrants.
“I discovered during my time here the need for financial inclusion for Nigerian immigrants and the need to connect the Nigerian American diaspora to its Nigerian heritage and culture,” Ogunjimo said in a statement.
“Immigrant community centers have been a proven strategy for financial inclusion for newly migrated individuals.”
“The noble privileges of becoming a U.S. citizen, voting for the first time, or even running for public office are all extremely rewarding, yet no easy feat,” he said. “Places like the Nigerian Center make achieving these accomplishments more palatable as they are the infrastructure that undergirds an immigrant’s journey towards self-sufficiency while becoming a contributing member of society.”
