Nigerians now banned from travelling to US as Trump expands travel restriction list

President Donald Trump on Tuesday, December 16, signed a proclamation further restricting entry into the United States for nationals of countries identified as high risk due to what the White House described as persistent and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting and information sharing that threaten national security and public safety.

Among the 15 additional countries placed under partial entry restrictions is Nigeria. The decision was announced in a fact sheet published on the White House website on December 16, 2025, titled “President Donald J. Trump Further Restricts and Limits the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States”.

The White House said the move was aimed at strengthening national security through what it called common sense restrictions based on data.

The proclamation maintains full entry restrictions on nationals from the original 12 countries previously listed under Proclamation 10949. These countries are Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

It also introduces full restrictions on five additional countries, namely Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria, as well as individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. Laos and Sierra Leone, which were previously under partial restrictions, have now been placed under full restrictions.

Nationals of Burundi, Cuba, Togo and Venezuela remain subject to partial restrictions.

In addition, the proclamation imposes partial entry restrictions on 15 more countries. These include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The fact sheet states that exemptions remain in place for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories such as athletes and diplomats, and individuals whose entry is deemed to serve United States national interests.

WHO Confirms New Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo, 15 Dead Including Health Workers.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has declared a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Kasai Province, with at least 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, confirmed as of September 4, 2025.

The World Health Organization (WHO), in a statement on Thursday, said the outbreak was detected in Bulape and Mweka health zones, where patients showed symptoms such as fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, and haemorrhage. Tests conducted on September 3 at the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa confirmed the Ebola Zaire strain, the deadliest form of the virus.

A national Rapid Response Team, supported by WHO experts in epidemiology, infection control, laboratory analysis, and case management, has been deployed to Kasai. WHO has also sent two tonnes of medical supplies, including protective equipment and mobile lab kits, to aid the response.

Despite the swift deployment, the agency warned that Kasai’s remote location, with limited road and air access, poses major challenges. Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said authorities are racing to contain the outbreak.

“We’re acting with determination to halt the spread and protect communities,” he stated, highlighting DRC’s experience in managing viral outbreaks.

Health workers are tracing contacts and providing treatment for suspected cases, while 2,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine already stockpiled in Kinshasa will be rushed to Kasai to protect frontline workers and high-risk individuals. Kasai previously experienced deadly Ebola outbreaks in 2007 and 2008.