Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has described the reported plan by the United States to impose visa restrictions on all West African nations, including Nigeria, as “most unfortunate,” warning that such a move would pose a serious barrier to trade, diplomacy, and regional prosperity.
Tuggar made the remarks on Wednesday during his opening address at the 54th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at Ministerial Level, held in Abuja. The minister, who also chairs the Council, criticized the blanket approach of the U.S. visa policy, arguing it undermines the region’s vast economic potential and longstanding readiness for international partnerships.
“If the United States proceeds with its decision to include all ECOWAS countries in its visa restrictions, it would be deeply regrettable,” Tuggar said. “We are a region of opportunities, rich in critical minerals, including rare earths like Samarium, and eager to engage in mutually beneficial trade.”
He stressed that travel restrictions act as non-tariff barriers, obstructing the ability of officials, entrepreneurs, and experts to finalize deals. “We want to do business with the U.S., but who will step forward to seize the opportunities in our region if the doors are closed?”
Tuggar also emphasized the need for sustained regional cooperation to address peace, security, and governance challenges. He noted that the ministerial meeting would review transition processes in Guinea and electoral preparations in two other ECOWAS member states. Other agenda items include maritime security, terrorism, transnational crime, and efforts to strengthen the regional peace support architecture.
In his remarks, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, highlighted recent progress in regional peace and security efforts, including the development of the ECOWAS Standby Force Logistics Concept, improved police information systems, and enhanced early warning mechanisms.
Touray added that ECOWAS is making strides in repairing ties with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following their recent exit from the regional bloc. “We have shifted the narrative and begun direct talks focused on restoring cooperation in key areas such as security and development,” he said, adding that improved communication strategies are helping to counter misinformation and rebuild regional trust.
The session is expected to conclude with resolutions aimed at consolidating ECOWAS’s peacebuilding efforts and advancing socio-economic development across the sub-region.
