After Visa Limits, Is More Pressure Coming from the US?

The United States appears to be shifting away from its traditional role as a global stabiliser, increasingly disrupting long-standing multilateral systems and bilateral partnerships. Recent policy decisions particularly those affecting Nigeria have sparked concerns over Washington’s evolving posture toward African nations.

In a sharp departure from past visa protocols, the U.S. recently reduced Nigerian entry visas to three months and single-entry status. This was swiftly followed by public warnings of possible criminal charges against Nigerians accused of visa fraud or of harbouring undocumented migrants. The move, framed as part of a broader immigration overhaul, has been widely criticised for disproportionately targeting African nationals with Nigerians appearing to bear the brunt.

While the U.S. maintains that national security and immigration control are at the heart of these measures, critics argue they reveal a deeper shift: a punitive approach to countries perceived as resisting alignment with U.S. foreign policy goals.

Nigeria’s refusal to accept deported migrants reportedly played a role in the escalating visa restrictions. But analysts believe the tensions run deeper. As Nigeria strengthens ties with alternative global powers including China and Russia and joins emerging coalitions like BRICS, Washington seems intent on reasserting influence through pressure tactics.

The exclusion of Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Africa, the continent’s key players from a recent U.S.-Africa leaders summit has also been seen as a strategic snub. The selective invitation list was viewed by many observers as an attempt to fragment Africa’s collective bargaining power echoing tactics from a bygone era of geopolitical division.

Underlying the tensions is Washington’s discomfort with Nigeria’s increasingly independent foreign policy. Nigeria’s formal alignment with BRICS has likely added to the unease. Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s vocal disdain for BRICS seen by some in Washington as a challenge to Western dominance continues to influence the tone of U.S. engagement with its African partners.

Compounding concerns are long-standing allegations that U.S. aid channels may have been misused during Nigeria’s insurgency crisis. While U.S. officials deny involvement, many Nigerians remain sceptical, citing the prolonged resilience of extremist groups as potentially sustained by external actors.

The recent visa crackdown is viewed by some as part of a broader strategy, one that targets countries pursuing non-aligned or independent foreign policies. Yet, even as the U.S. tightens immigration controls and reduces diplomatic engagement, a global shift toward multilateralism and inclusive partnerships continues to gain momentum.

Nigeria, alongside other African nations, is increasingly prioritising diverse international cooperation over dependency on traditional Western alliances. The growing multipolar order, shaped by a range of actors across continents, suggests a future less defined by the unilateral actions of any single power and more by collaborative, sovereign engagement across global regions.

As global power dynamics evolve, Nigeria is expected to stay the course on its independent foreign policy path engaging with all nations, including the United States, on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests.