US Visa Ban Threatens West Africa-US Deals, Says# Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Tuggar

ABUJA, June 18, 2025 — Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has warned that a proposed blanket visa restriction on Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries by the United States would be a setback to potential economic and diplomatic partnerships between the region and the US.

Speaking at the 54th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at Ministerial Level in Abuja, Tuggar said the region is eager to forge meaningful trade and investment relationships, but such efforts require a conducive and collaborative international environment.

“It would be most unfortunate if the US proceeds to impose visa restrictions on all ECOWAS countries,” the minister said. “This region is open for business and ready to engage with partners, including the United States. However, for deals to happen, the necessary diplomatic and economic space must be protected.”

Tuggar noted that West Africa remains a vital global partner, particularly in the energy sector, and described ECOWAS as a strategic alternative to more distant and politically divergent energy producers.

“We are students of the Art of the Deal,” he said, referencing former US President Donald Trump’s famed business philosophy. “We’ve been part of the international trading system since before the rise of modern states. The only question is who will seize the opportunities available in this region?”

He stressed that ease of travel for government officials, technocrats, business leaders, and entrepreneurs is essential to close deals and build sustainable partnerships.

On regional governance, the minister highlighted the recently launched Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD), a collaborative initiative between ECOWAS and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aimed at strengthening democratic structures across West Africa.

“The RPD is a shared template tailored to the unique political realities of each member state,” Tuggar said. “Its success depends on collective ownership and application.”

He also drew attention to growing humanitarian concerns in the region, including displacement, food insecurity, climate-related risks, and healthcare challenges, calling for coordinated action among ECOWAS member states.

On security and early warning mechanisms, Tuggar said the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council would receive critical updates on the regional Early Warning and Response Centres, a cornerstone of the conflict prevention framework.

He praised the longstanding efforts of the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), stressing the need to strengthen financial transparency and resilience in the face of growing threats from illicit financial flows, money laundering, and terrorism financing.

"The Council will be briefed on ongoing efforts by member states to enhance institutional capacity to tackle these security threats,” he said.

Tuggar also announced the completion of the Lungi Military Logistics Depot in Sierra Leone, describing it as a milestone for regional security. Built under the auspices of ECOWAS, the depot will play a key role as the bloc mobilizes its Standby Force to counter rising terrorist threats in the region.

The Minister’s remarks come amid renewed calls for stronger regional cooperation to address West Africa’s overlapping security, economic, and governance challenges.