Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has cautioned that unchecked criminality and immigration violations by some Nigerians could trigger blanket travel bans from countries worldwide. He attributes rising restrictions like Canada's 366 deportations and U.S. visa curbs to fraud, overstays, and security risks tarnishing Nigeria's global image.
Sani highlights passport misuse for scams, fake documents, and rejected asylum claims as primary triggers, urging citizens to halt practices inviting reciprocal closures. He notes patterns in Black African/Caribbean listings despite "safety" justifications, predicting escalation if diaspora misconduct persists. Recent data shows Nigeria topping removal lists in Canada (974 pending) and facing U.S. immigrant/non-immigrant suspensions.
"Stay back and build your country," Sani implores, criticizing those celebrating official-only bans while overlooking broader impacts on ordinary travelers. He frames third-world migrant hostility as a clear message demanding internal reforms over external blame. This echoes his prior Trump appeals for unrestricted access, now pivoting to self-reliance amid tightening borders.
Sani's alarm ties into global crackdowns like Trump's Venezuela strikes and economic strains fueling deportations, positioning Nigeria at a diplomatic crossroads. Without addressing root causes corruption, joblessness driving irregular migration full bans loom, he warns. The advisory resonates as 2026 dawns with heightened scrutiny on African mobility.