By Gloria Ikibah
The United States has announced new entry restrictions affecting travellers from 15 countries, including Nigeria.
Details of the policy, published on the White House website, show that the measure was introduced through a presidential proclamation. It places what the administration describes as a “partial limitation” on certain passport holders from the affected countries, 11 of which are in Africa. 
Alongside Nigeria, the countries listed are Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Others named in the proclamation are Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and Tonga.
The restrictions do not apply to everyone. Permanent residents of the United States, existing visa holders and some visa categories — including athletes and diplomats — are exempt. The Trump administration also says exemptions will be granted to individuals “whose entry serves U.S. national interests”.
According to the White House, the decision was taken under Executive Order 14161 and Proclamation 10949. It explains that the move was necessary because “many of the restricted countries suffer from widespread corruption, fraudulent or unreliable civil documents and criminal records, and nonexistent birth-registration systems—systemically preventing accurate vetting.”
US officials say the policy is aimed at tightening border controls while allowing flexibility for specific categories of travellers and cases deemed vital to national interests.
