The US visa revocation

The United States (US) government recently revoked visas issued to Nigerians and nationals of other countries, particularly international students and non-immigrant visa applicants. The American government also reiterated its resolve to ban Nigerians who overstay their visa duration from its country. Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump’s administration in January, the US has implemented wide-ranging changes to significantly curb immigration.

The US Mission in Nigeria has urged Nigerian travellers to strictly adhere to the terms of their US visas. It warned that misusing them could affect future travel to America. “It’s important to use your US visa according to its terms. Misusing it, for example, by overstaying, may affect your ability to travel to the US in the future,” the mission stated.

Following criticisms over the recent indiscriminate visa revocations affecting Nigerians with valid visas, the US government explained that the measure was taken to enhance the country’s security as well as guarantee the safety of its citizens. Those affected by the new revocation of visas already issued to Nigerian citizens included students, business professionals and frequent travellers and families, who were informed of the cancellation without prior notice.

The US visa revocations will undoubtedly serve as a wake-up call on the federal and state governments to sit up and fix the nation’s ailing economy. The federal government should use the opportunity to make the country attractive for foreign investors. The government should also fix the education and health sectors to stem the unbridled brain drain in both sectors. It is sad that the country is no longer conducive for many citizens, especially the youths, who struggle daily to eke out a living in a highly challenged economy and environment.

The Trump’s visa policy is perhaps a blessing in disguise. It will make Nigerians to look inwards and develop the country instead of wishing to jump on the next available flight to US for whatever reasons. Let our leaders sit at home and fix the country instead of travelling all over the world in search of elusive investments. Apart from those who travel to the US for further studies, Nigerian youths should stay at home and develop the country. They should understand that the situation is not always better overseas. Nigeria should be developed by Nigerians and not by Americans or Asians.

Although visa issuance is at the discretion of the country concerned, the US new visa policy should not be skewed against Nigerians. The US government and Nigeria have mutual agreement on visa issuance, which must be respected. We urge the federal government to dialogue with Washington with the hope of settling the visa row. If that option fails, the government will apply the principle of reciprocity.

Unfortunately, the prevailing economic hardship has pushed some Nigerians to even relocate to countries such as the Niger Republic, Mali, Burkina Faso and even Sudan. The general perception of these Nigerians is that anywhere outside the country is better. However, this assumption is fallacious. They should strive to make it at home and contribute to nation-building instead of running away to other developed countries.

The federal government must hasten the socio-economic development of the country and put measures in place to make the youths stay at home. Nigeria has both human and material resources to be great. It only requires the political will to make the country work. Let our leaders fix the road infrastructure as well as the collapsed textile industry and others begging for urgent attention. Government should create more jobs and enhance workers wages.

Nigerian workers should be paid a living wage so that they can put in their best. The dignity of labour must be respected. Let all workers be adequately remunerated to stop frequent strikes in the country. Above all, the government should address the growing security challenges across the country. Doing so will boost local and foreign investments, economic growth and creation of more jobs.

The government needs to shore up the value of the naira. It is disheartening that many educated Nigerians troop to the US and other countries to do menial jobs. Thousands of Nigerian doctors work in the US and other countries. Some Nigerians work as security guards in foreign countries. The apparent forced migration underscores the appalling economic situation at home, yet many more Nigerians are willing to relocate to foreign countries in search of jobs.

If Nigeria is working, many Nigerians will not be scrambling for US visa. Nigerians are subjected to shabby treatment abroad because some of them disobey the rules of their host countries. It is within the rights of the US government to protect its citizens from seeming danger. President Donald Trump promised during his campaign to make America great again. Therefore, President Tinubu should rise to the occasion and make Nigeria conducive enough to make migrating to the US and other countries unattractive.