Tag: USA

Senate moves to counter ‘Christian genocide’ narrative in US

Aminu Imam
Senate moves

The 10th Senate is set to debate a Motion aimed at correcting what it calls “dangerous misrepresentations” portraying Nigeria’s security crisis as a campaign of “Christian genocide”, a view gaining ground among US lawmakers and the media. Sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume and co-sponsored by other senior senators, the Motion argues that while Christian communities have suffered brutal attacks, violence in Nigeria affects citizens of all faiths. It warns that framing the conflict in religious terms risks inflaming sectarian tension and distorting global understanding of Nigeria’s complex insecurity, driven by…

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US Senators push to re-list Nigeria as ‘religious freedom violator’

Aminu Imam
US Senators push

A group of Republican Senators has urged U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio to re-designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over what they describe as relentless terrorist killings targeting Christians. In a joint letter, Senators Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Ted Budd, Pete Ricketts, and James Lankford cited mass kidnappings and massacres in Benue, Niger, and other states, warning that Nigeria has become “one of the most dangerous places in the world to be Christian”. They noted that while Nigeria was first placed on the list in 2020 under…

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‘No visa for corrupt Nigerian officials’ – US declares, after petition against Wike

Aminu Imam
US on visa

The United States has declared that corrupt Nigerian government officials will face visa restrictions, reiterating that there is no limit on accountability. The U.S. Mission in Nigeria gave the warning in a statement released yesterday, via its official X handle. “Fighting corruption knows no borders or limits on accountability. Even when high-profile individuals engage in corruption, they can be barred from receiving U.S. visas,” the Mission stated. The warning comes just hours after Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, was petitioned before U.S. authorities over alleged unlawful acquisition of multimillion-dollar…

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Trump raises work visa fee for Nigerian professionals to over ₦150m

Aminu Imam
Trump visa fee

Nigerian doctors, engineers and tech experts eyeing careers in the United States face a crushing new hurdle after President Donald Trump signed a proclamation slamming an annual $100,000 (roughly ₦150 million fee on H-1B visas. The fee – up from the current $1,500 – marks the heaviest blow yet in Washington’s immigration squeeze, following a recent $15,000 bond for some tourist visas and a travel ban on 12 countries. “This is about training Americans, not importing people to take our jobs”, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick declared at the White…

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Atiku meets U.S. Ambassador in Abuja

Aminu Imam
Atiku meets

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar has led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the United States (U.S.) Ambassador, Richard M. Mills Jr., in Abuja. Atiku disclosed this in a post on his official Facebook account while sharing images from the meeting. He stated that the discussion was centered on the partnership between Nigeria and the United States, particularly on democracy and security. The post reads: “This afternoon, I had the honor of leading a delegation on a courtesy visit to the United States Ambassador, Richard M. Mills Jr., in Abuja.…

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U.S. slashes Nigerian imports by 41%

Aminu Imam
U.S. slashes imports

…As tariff dispute deepens trade strains The United States (U.S.) has slashed its imports of Nigerian goods by 41% in just one month, raising alarm over the fragile state of Nigeria’s trade relations with one of its most strategic global partners. New figures from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis indicate that U.S. imports of Nigerian products declined from $639 million in June 2025 to $379 million in July, a significant drop that highlights Nigeria’s reduced access to the American market. The drop coincided with a…

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U.S. flags Nigeria, 15 other African countries in travel advisory over insecurity

Aminu Imam
U.S. travel advisory

Nigerian travellers are among those now facing fresh restrictions after the United States (U.S.) placed 16 African countries on its high-risk travel advisory list, warning citizens to avoid or reconsider visiting these destinations due to worsening security threats, political instability, and health concerns. The updated advisory, issued in September 2025 by the U.S. Department of State, categorises countries under its four-tier system that ranges from Level-1, where citizens are urged to “exercise normal precautions,” to Level-4, which carries the strongest warning: “do not travel”. The State Department explained that its…

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US approves $32.5m lifeline for Nigeria amid growing hunger crisis

Aminu Imam
US approves lifeline

In a rare but significant policy shift, the United States (U.S.) has approved $32.5 million in emergency assistance to Nigeria to help combat rising hunger, especially in conflict-torn regions. The U.S. Mission to Nigeria confirmed on Wednesday that the funds will be directed toward food aid and nutritional support for internally-displaced people (IDPs), many of whom have been pushed to the brink of starvation by ongoing violence and insecurity. This development marks a sharp departure from the stance taken under former U.S. President Donald Trump, who abruptly suspended most aid…

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‘Nigerians face long bans for US visa overstays’ – Embassy cautions

Aminu Imam
US visa overstays

The United States Mission in Nigeria has warned Nigerian travellers to strictly follow the terms of their visas, stressing that overstaying could result in long-term entry bans. In a statement posted yesterday on its official X handle, the Mission said violating visa conditions may damage future chances of travelling to the U.S. “It’s important to use your U.S. visa according to its terms. Misusing it, for example, by overstaying, may affect your ability to travel to the U.S. in the future”, it stated. The caution comes amid heightened scrutiny of…

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2027: “Don’t drop Shettima, US is desperate to remove you” – Primate Ayodele to Tinubu

Aminu Imam
Primate Ayodele

Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has given a fresh warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his 2027 re-election bid, his relationship with Vice-President Kashim Shettima, and alleged plots by the United States to undermine his government. In an issued statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the cleric cautioned Tinubu against replacing Shettima as running mate, insisting such a move would weaken his chances. He said: “Dropping Shettima will cause trouble for you; those who want him out are your enemies who don’t want…

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