Planned US Visa Ban is Unfortunate - Yusuf Tuggar - AMEBO NEWSPAPERS NG.

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Wednesday, 18 June 2025

Planned US Visa Ban is Unfortunate - Yusuf Tuggar


 

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has described as unfortunate the United States’ proposed visa restrictions on citizens of West African countries.


Speaking on Wednesday at the opening of the 54th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level in Abuja, Tuggar urged the U.S. not to dismiss the region, stressing that West Africa has significant value to offer the global community.


According to reports, former U.S. President Donald Trump is considering new travel hurdles for Nigerians and citizens of other West African and African countries, with affected nations expected to comply with new requirements from the State Department within 60 days.


Tuggar, who also chairs the Mediation and Security Council, said rather than impose restrictions, global superpowers like the U.S. should be exploring meaningful partnerships and deals with the sub-region.


He said, “It would therefore be remiss of me if I did not mention the apparent recent decision by the Government of the United States to include all ECOWAS countries in its visa restrictions (Togo was on an earlier list). This would be most unfortunate if it comes to pass, because we are a region of opportunities ready to do deals. We possess critical minerals and even rare earths such as Samarium from the Monazite found in my home State of Bauchi. We would like to do deals with the US, but visa restrictions are non-tariff barriers to deals. We in this part of the world are students of the Art of the Deal and have been part of the international trading system even before the modern state system.


“ECOWAS countries and the US have a rare opportunity to create a partnership based on principles of need.


“We are also a strategic alternative to more distant and politically divergent energy producers. So, we will do deals for our prosperity; the only question is with whom? Who takes up the opportunities in our region by allowing government officials and technocrats, business executives and entrepreneurs to travel freely back and forth to close the deals?

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