High Airfares and Trump-Era Visa Restrictions Drive Nigerians Away from U.S. Travel
Story Written by Okafor joseph August 27,2025
The United States, once a top summer destination for Nigerians, is witnessing a sharp decline in visitor traffic as soaring airfares and tougher visa restrictions under Donald Trump’s administration force many to explore alternative destinations such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
Rising Airfares Price Out Nigerian Travellers
In recent months, airfares on U.S. routes have skyrocketed by over 100 percent, making trips unaffordable for many Nigerians.
- A return economy class ticket from Lagos to Houston, which averaged ₦1.5 million last year, now costs between ₦2.7 million and ₦3.9 million, depending on the airline.
- Business class tickets for the same route now range from ₦9 million to ₦11.7 million, up from ₦7 million previously.
- Flights to New York and Washington, D.C., once averaging ₦1.7 million, now cost between ₦2.7 million and ₦5.3 million for economy seats, while business class fares are between ₦7.8 million and ₦10.8 million.
Industry experts attribute these high prices to exchange rate volatility and rising global travel costs. According to Yinka Folami, President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies, many Nigerians now opt for destinations like the UK, where airfares are relatively cheaper.
Visa Restrictions Add More Pressure
Alongside costly tickets, new U.S. visa policies introduced under Trump have discouraged travel from Nigeria. These include:
- Suspension of Dropbox services (June 2025).
- Mandatory social media screening (July 2025).
- Three-month single-entry visas replacing longer validity visas.
- End of birthright citizenship (January 2025).
- Stricter checks on so-called “birth tourism” (July 2025).
- Mass deportation orders targeting perceived illegal immigrants.
Travel experts say the revised rules have frustrated visa applicants and complicated renewals. Seyi Adewale, CEO of Mainstream Cargo Limited, noted that Trump’s policies “empowered immigration and customs officials to harass and intimidate Africans and Hispanics,” discouraging many Nigerians from applying.
Travellers Weigh Safer Alternatives
Susan Akporaiye, CEO of Topaz Travels and Tours and former NANTA president, confirmed that Nigerian traffic to the U.S. has slowed significantly.
“The high cost of fares is the main factor. Those who have visas are also cautious, fearing how they’ll be treated at U.S. airports. People don’t want to face embarrassing situations,” she said.
With the combination of skyrocketing fares, visa uncertainty, and harsh treatment at entry points, the once-bustling flow of Nigerian travellers to U.S. destinations has thinned out. For many, the UK, Canada, and Australia now represent cheaper and friendlier alternatives.
