•Concerns mount that Washington is weaponising security advisories to coerce Abuja into hosting American troops.
A months after the United States designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” based on contested claims of religious persecution, Washington has significantly ramped up diplomatic pressure. In a sweeping move on Wednesday, the US Department of State issued a “Do Not Travel” advisory for Nigeria and ordered the mandatory evacuation of non-essential embassy staff and their families.
While the State Department cited rising insecurity as the primary driver for the decision, analysts and government insiders suggest the move reflects the Donald Trump administration’s increasingly hostile posture toward the current Nigerian leadership. There are growing concerns that the advisory is part of a broader strategy to coerce Nigeria into accepting a US military base on its soil—a proposal Abuja has repeatedly rebuffed.
A Deteriorating Security Narrative
In a statement shared via X (formerly Twitter), the US warned that violent crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping, and roadside banditry, are rampant. The advisory specifically identified nearly two dozen states—including Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Imo, and Rivers—as high-risk zones that Americans should avoid for any reason.
“The security situation in these states is unstable and uncertain due to widespread terrorist activity and community violence,” the statement read, adding that the US government has a limited ability to provide emergency services to its citizens in these regions.
While the Nigerian government has acknowledged its security failings and the ongoing activities of armed groups in the North and Middle Belt, local officials argue that the US framing is politically motivated. Critics point out that the US has repeatedly characterized the violence as a targeted campaign against Christians, a narrative Abuja maintains is a simplification of complex communal and socioeconomic conflicts.
The Healthcare Controversy
Perhaps the most contentious element of the new advisory is Washington’s scathing assessment of Nigeria’s healthcare system. The State Department warned citizens that Nigerian medical facilities do not meet Western standards and claimed that even basic medications for diabetes and asthma are often unavailable or counterfeit.
The report further cautioned that hospitals in Nigeria often demand immediate cash payments and do not recognize US health insurance.
However, the advisory appears to overlook recent strides in the sector. Nigeria has seen a surge in healthcare investment, with hundreds of primary and tertiary centers upgraded. Furthermore, a growing number of Nigerian medical experts are returning from the diaspora to establish state-of-the-art private facilities. Ironically, Nigeria has recently seen an uptick in medical tourism from those seeking procedures that are significantly more affordable than in the US or UK.
Geopolitical Friction and the Military Base Issue
The friction between the two nations appears rooted in several high-stakes diplomatic disagreements. In 2024, Nigeria rejected US overtures to establish a military base following the expulsion of American and French forces from neighboring Sahelian countries like Niger and Chad. Analysts believe regaining a strategic special operations hub in West Africa remains a top priority for the Trump administration.
Tensions are further fueled by Nigeria’s refusal to accept American deportees. Former Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar previously stated that Nigeria has “no interest in becoming a dumping ground for unwanted migrants.” In apparent retaliation, the US has since restricted Nigerian visas, suspending long-term and immigrant visa processing.
Mixed Signals from Washington
Despite the State Department’s public hostility, other arms of the US government continue to maintain close ties with Nigeria. The US Embassy recently praised the cooperation of National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu in a joint working group, while the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) recently delivered critical military supplies to Abuja.
Furthermore, approximately 200 US troops remain in Nigeria to provide intelligence and training support—a partnership that sits in stark contrast to the State Department’s order for civilian staff to flee.
Abuja Fights Back with $4.5m Lobbying Push
Seeking to counter the negative narrative, the Nigerian government has reportedly hired the American firm DCI Group AZ, LLC. The contract, valued at $750,000 per month ($4.5 million over six months), is intended to defend Nigeria’s international reputation in Washington.
The firm is tasked with briefing US officials on Nigeria’s efforts to protect all religious groups and ensuring continued support for the regional campaign against terrorism. As of press time, the Nigerian government has not issued a formal diplomatic response to the latest US travel advisory.
