deshola Nigeria, In the wake of expanded U.S. visa restrictions affecting Nigerian citizens and those from more than 20 other countries, former Kaduna Central lawmaker Senator Shehu Sani is calling on Nigerians to channel their energies toward national development and structural reform rather than focusing solely on travel limitations.
The new U.S. visa policy, announced this week, imposes suspensions and tighter controls on immigrant and a number of non-immigrant visa categories including business (B-1), tourism (B-2), student (F), vocational (M), and exchange (J) visas for Nigerian applicants among others. Washington has cited challenges in screening, vetting, and information-sharing that it says pose security concerns.
Reacting on social media, Senator Sani characterised the move as a stark reminder that the pursuit of opportunities abroad is increasingly constrained for citizens of developing countries like Nigeria. Rather than dwelling on exclusion, he urged Nigerians to “stay and build your country,” focusing on domestic challenges in governance, security, education and economic development.
A Call for Strategic National Priorities
Rather than seeing the visa restrictions only as a diplomatic slight, analysts and civic leaders believe the moment presents an opportunity for Nigeria to:
- Expand local opportunities for youth and professionals, reducing the pressures driving emigration by creating higher-quality jobs, improved education pathways, and vibrant domestic industries.
- Strengthen institutional systems such as immigration data management, security screening, and interagency cooperation, improvements that may also enhance global confidence in Nigerian governance.
- Deepen regional and global partnerships with countries beyond traditional Western destinations, boosting economic diplomacy and exchange programmes that benefit Nigerian citizens.
- Accelerate reforms in areas like infrastructure, healthcare, and technology, so that skilled professionals and students find compelling reasons to invest their talents at home.
Experts note that modern visa policies often reflect perceptions of risk, economic competitiveness and bilateral cooperation. By addressing systemic governance and capacity gaps, Nigeria can not only improve its global standing but also broaden international engagement on more equitable terms.
Dialogue and Diplomacy Alongside Domestic Action
The Federal Government has historically engaged diplomatically on visa and travel policy issues. Officials previously expressed concerns to U.S. counterparts over visa reciprocity and the impact on education, family ties, and business highlighting the importance of sustained foreign policy engagement even as domestic reforms continue.
Senator Sani’s message resonates with a growing school of thought that sees external policy pressures not as isolated setbacks but as catalysts for national introspection and progress. As Nigerians navigate evolving global mobility dynamics, the emphasis on building a more prosperous, secure and opportunity-rich Nigeria offers a constructive framework for both public discourse and policy action.
The evolving situation underscores the importance of cohesive national strategies that combine diplomacy, economic reform, and social investment ensuring that the country remains resilient and forward-looking in a changing international environment.
