Nigeria Foreign Minister Amb Tuggar Frowns at US Visa Ban on West African Countries, Says it’s Harmful to Trade Promotion.
By Raymond Enoch
In a strongly worded address delivered at the 54th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council held in Abuja, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, expressed deep concern over recent moves by the United States to impose visa restrictions on West African countries, warning that such policies threaten to derail longstanding economic and diplomatic ties.
Speaking at the 54th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council meeting held in Abuja Nigeria Ambassador Tuggar—who also chairs the Mediation and Security Council—underscored that the decision by the US, if implemented broadly across ECOWAS countries, constitutes a “non-tariff barrier to trade” and undermines critical regional efforts to foster peace, security, and development through international partnerships.
“It would be most unfortunate if the United States proceeds with visa restrictions against ECOWAS countries,” Tuggar declared. “We are a region of opportunities ready to do deals. Visa restrictions hinder government officials, technocrats, business executives, and entrepreneurs from travelling to engage in the kind of high-level economic diplomacy that drives sustainable development.”
Tuggar drew attention to the essential role that open mobility plays in regional prosperity, linking security and economic advancement directly to trade facilitation. He criticized the proposed visa ban as counterproductive, especially at a time when the region is seeking to deepen its international trade networks and promote itself as a strategic alternative in the global supply chain.
“We possess critical minerals, including rare earths such as urarium I from monazite deposits in Bauchi,” he noted, referring to his home state. “Our region has enormous trade potential, and we seek to engage the United States and other global partners in mutually beneficial partnerships. These visa policies risk shutting the door to such possibilities.”
The Foreign Minister’s comments came amid broader discussions at the ECOWAS session, which addressed pressing regional issues such as democratic transitions, maritime security, terrorism, and humanitarian crises. Tuggar emphasized that the visa restrictions—coming at such a volatile time—could exacerbate regional challenges by limiting cooperation and reducing international support for development efforts.
The theme of collaboration ran throughout Tuggar’s keynote address, as he unveiled a new initiative: the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD), developed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The RPD is aimed at strengthening democratic governance and is part of broader efforts by ECOWAS to ensure political stability across the sub-region.
Nevertheless, Tuggar was unequivocal in his position that economic diplomacy and strategic international engagement require ease of movement—not restrictions.
“There is often a direct correlation between security and prosperity. Sustained prosperity is achieved through trade and investment, devoid of barriers,” he stated. “We will do deals for our prosperity—the only question is with whom?”
This rhetorical challenge—posed to the United States and other potential partners—underscores Nigeria’s growing assertiveness in international diplomacy under the current administration, as well as its commitment to building a region that is not just stable and peaceful, but economically vibrant and globally integrated.
Tuggar concluded his remarks by calling on ECOWAS leaders to remain united, deliberate with purpose, and respond to regional and international challenges with “vision, concrete outcomes, and long-lasting solutions.”
The Minister’s remarks resonated deeply with delegates, many of whom echoed concerns about the unintended consequences of sweeping immigration policies that fail to differentiate between security concerns and legitimate economic engagement.
As West Africa stands at a geopolitical crossroads, Ambassador Tuggar’s intervention signals a determined push by Nigeria to defend the region’s interests on the global stage—and ensure that visa policies do not become roadblocks to its economic ambitions.
