Nigeria Ready for US Trade Deals, Says Travel Ban Threatens Progress – Tuggar

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has stated that while the country is open and ready for trade and investment deals with the United States, visa restrictions pose a major obstacle to such progress.

Speaking at the 54th ordinary session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council in Abuja on Wednesday, Tuggar highlighted the importance of free movement to foster economic growth and international collaboration.

He expressed concern over the US government’s recent move to impose visa restrictions on all ECOWAS member states, noting that such a policy would be counterproductive to trade and investment. “Sustained prosperity is driven by trade without barriers,” he said.

Citing the wealth of natural resources in the region, Tuggar pointed out that Nigeria holds critical minerals such as Samarium from Monazite deposits in Bauchi State. “We are ready to do deals,” he asserted, “but non-tariff barriers like visa bans hinder the process.”

He added that the ECOWAS region offers strategic alternatives to energy partners and is eager to form beneficial relationships — the only question being who is willing to seize the opportunity.

Tuggar emphasized that ECOWAS nations have a long-standing history in international trade, predating the modern nation-state system. He urged the US to recognize this and allow the free flow of businesspeople, officials, and entrepreneurs who are vital to sealing partnerships.

The statement comes amid reports that former US President Donald Trump’s administration is considering extending its travel ban to cover up to 36 countries, many of them African. The existing ban already targets 12 nations including Somalia, Chad, and Libya, with partial restrictions on others like Togo, Cuba, and Venezuela.