Secretary of State Marco Rubio on 3 December announced new visa restrictions on Nigerian individuals ‘responsible for, or complicit in, egregious acts of violence against Christians and other religious minorities.’ The policy, issued under INA §212(a)(3)(C), blocks the named individuals and their immediate family members from entering the United States and allows consular officers to revoke existing visas.
The announcement follows a wave of deadly attacks in Plateau and Kaduna states blamed on Fulani militias and Islamic State West Africa Province. Washington says Abuja has failed to prosecute perpetrators and protect places of worship. Although the State Department did not release names, human-rights groups expect regional politicians, security-force commanders and militia leaders to appear on cables to U.S. embassies this week.
![US imposes targeted visa bans on Nigerians linked to anti-Christian violence]()
For U.S. companies seconding staff to Nigeria—especially in energy, infrastructure and agribusiness— the immediate impact is limited, but the action underscores increasing U.S. readiness to use immigration tools to advance human-rights objectives. Mobility teams should watch for employees who may share surnames with sanctioned figures, triggering extra screening.
The new sanctions coincide with President Trump’s directive to the Pentagon to draft contingency plans for ‘humanitarian intervention’ in Nigeria, raising geopolitical stakes. Nigerian officials called the visa bans ‘unhelpful,’ arguing the violence is driven by banditry and climate-driven pastoral conflicts rather than religious persecution.
Practical tip: Expect longer security checks for all Nigerian visa applicants in the coming weeks. Employers should factor additional lead-time for assignees and advise personnel to carry detailed invitation letters and proof of purpose of travel.
The announcement follows a wave of deadly attacks in Plateau and Kaduna states blamed on Fulani militias and Islamic State West Africa Province. Washington says Abuja has failed to prosecute perpetrators and protect places of worship. Although the State Department did not release names, human-rights groups expect regional politicians, security-force commanders and militia leaders to appear on cables to U.S. embassies this week.
For U.S. companies seconding staff to Nigeria—especially in energy, infrastructure and agribusiness— the immediate impact is limited, but the action underscores increasing U.S. readiness to use immigration tools to advance human-rights objectives. Mobility teams should watch for employees who may share surnames with sanctioned figures, triggering extra screening.
The new sanctions coincide with President Trump’s directive to the Pentagon to draft contingency plans for ‘humanitarian intervention’ in Nigeria, raising geopolitical stakes. Nigerian officials called the visa bans ‘unhelpful,’ arguing the violence is driven by banditry and climate-driven pastoral conflicts rather than religious persecution.
Practical tip: Expect longer security checks for all Nigerian visa applicants in the coming weeks. Employers should factor additional lead-time for assignees and advise personnel to carry detailed invitation letters and proof of purpose of travel.
