The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a new visa ban policy targeting Nigerians accused of financing or supporting violent attacks against Christians in the country.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, via a post on his official X account. Rubio said the move is part of Washington’s effort to respond to what it describes as growing attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
According to him, the new policy will affect anyone who “knowingly directs, authorizes, funds, supports, or carries out violations of religious freedom.” This means the visa ban restrictions could extend beyond extremist groups to include individuals, sponsors, and other actors linked to religious-based violence.
“The United States is taking decisive action,” Rubio wrote. “This visa policy applies to Nigeria and to any government or individual involved in persecuting people for their religious beliefs.”
The decision comes amid heightened concern from U.S. officials and rights groups who have repeatedly warned about the scale of violence in several Nigerian communities, with some describing the situation as a form of genocide against Christians.
But the Nigerian government has strongly dismissed those claims. Officials insist that there is no ongoing genocide, arguing instead that insecurity in the country affects people of all faiths. They maintain that terrorism, banditry, and communal clashes have targeted both Christians and Muslims, and that the conflict should not be framed as exclusively religious.
The U.S. has not released the names of those who will be affected by the visa ban. However, the policy widens Washington’s pressure on Nigeria as global attention on the country’s security record continues to grow.