Written by Okafor Joseph Afam | SpringnewsNG Media Limited | June 16, 2025

The Trump administration is considering a major expansion of its travel ban policy, potentially restricting entry into the United States for citizens of 36 countries — including Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation.

According to a U.S. State Department memo obtained by The Washington Post, the proposed list includes 25 African countries, several from the Caribbean, Central Asia, and the Pacific Islands. If implemented, the policy could affect millions of potential travelers, including over 200 million Nigerians.

60-Day Deadline to Comply

The internal memo, signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, instructs American diplomats to notify the listed countries of new security benchmarks they must meet within 60 days. Governments are expected to submit action plans by 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, outlining how they intend to comply with these requirements.

The document criticizes several nations for failing to provide reliable identification documents or lacking centralized governance. Others are cited for rampant government fraud or high rates of visa overstays. Additional concerns include the sale of citizenship through investment programs without residency, and instances of anti-American or antisemitic activities by individuals from these nations.

However, the memo also notes that countries willing to sign “safe third country” agreements or accept deported nationals may avoid the full brunt of the proposed restrictions.

Full List of Countries Facing Possible Travel Ban

The 36 countries under review include:

• Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
• Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia
• Asia & Pacific: Bhutan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
• Island Nations: Sao Tome and Principe

Expansion of Existing Ban

If enforced, this expansion would build upon previous U.S. travel bans issued on June 4, which fully blocked entry from countries like Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, and Iran. Additional partial restrictions were applied to travelers from Venezuela, Cuba, and several others.

The timing for implementing the new travel restrictions remains uncertain, pending compliance or negotiations with the countries involved.

SpringnewsNG Media Limited will continue to provide updates as the story develops.