US Travel Advisory Politically Motivated, Not Purely Security-Based – Onoh

Dr. Josef Onoh, chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly and ex-Southeast spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described the April 8, 2026, United States travel advisory on Nigeria as “ill-timed, politically motivated and a strain on diplomatic relations.”

In a statement to journalists in Abuja, Onoh reacted to the U.S. Department of State’s updated advisory which retained Nigeria at *Level 3: Reconsider Travel* due to crime, terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, and inconsistent healthcare. The update expanded the *Level 4: Do Not Travel* list to include Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba, bringing the total to 23 of 36 states. It also authorized voluntary departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and families from the Embassy in Abuja, citing a “deteriorating security situation.”

Onoh acknowledged Nigeria’s security challenges, noting that groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP operate in the northeast, while banditry and mass kidnappings affect the northwest and north-central regions. He added that violent crime, cultism and communal clashes occur in parts of the south. “These threats are real and demand vigilance, particularly outside major urban centers,” he said.

However, he argued that the advisory’s “broad framing and recent expansions warrant a measured response.” According to Onoh, risks are highly regional, not nationwide. He pointed out that commercial hubs such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt continue to host international businesses, expatriates, and daily operations, with foreign energy firms, including U.S.-linked companies, maintaining significant investments in secure corridors. 

“The advisory’s wide brush risks overstating dangers for prepared travelers who use vetted transport, private security, and local intelligence — standard practice in many emerging markets,” Onoh said.

He stated that the Tinubu administration has made security its top priority. The 2026 Appropriation Bill of ₦58.18 trillion allocates ₦5.41 trillion to defence and internal security for force modernization, intelligence-driven operations, border control, and counter-terrorism. Nigerian security forces, he added, continue operations that disrupt insurgent and bandit networks.

Onoh compared Nigeria’s treatment to other countries, saying Mexico maintains an overall Level 2 advisory but has multiple states at Level 4 due to cartel violence, while South Africa faces high violent crime yet often receives less expansive warnings. “Nigeria’s treatment, with 23 states flagged, appears disproportionately broad given ongoing commercial activity and diplomacy in non-affected zones,” he said.

On the economy, Onoh noted President Tinubu’s reforms have yielded 3.98% GDP growth in Q3 2025, eight consecutive months of inflation moderation to 14.45% by November 2025, strengthened foreign reserves of around $44–47 billion, and a trade surplus. “These gains address root causes of insecurity such as poverty and unemployment while supporting long-term stability,” he said.

He added that while healthcare access varies, major private facilities in key cities meet international standards.

In summary, Onoh said the advisory correctly flags genuine risks but its tone, partial staff departure authorization, and nationwide “reconsider” framing “can appear overly punitive, politically motivated and insufficiently nuanced.” He argued it risks undermining bilateral ties and legitimate investment without fully recognizing Nigeria’s scale, ongoing countermeasures, or economic resilience.

“Nigeria and the Tinubu-led administration welcome honest, precise risk communication that supports partnership rather than broad-brush measures with potential self-fulfilling economic and diplomatic costs,” Onoh said.

Alternative Framework Proposed

Onoh urged the U.S. to adopt a “targeted, partnership-oriented approach” instead of a broad “reconsider travel” advisory paired with partial embassy drawdown. He proposed:

1. Granular, metrics-based regional advisories*: Limit strict “Do Not Travel” to active hotspots and downgrade major commercial centers like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt to Level 2, with practical guidance. He noted that “even my home state Enugu can boldly be said to be the safest state in the southeast yet it was included.”

2. Strengthened security cooperation*: Expand intelligence sharing, training, equipment support, and technology transfers against shared threats like terrorism and banditry.

3. Economic engagement in secure corridors*: Promote targeted investment through programs like Prosper Africa in energy, agriculture, tech, and renewables, with risk-mitigation tools for investors in designated safe zones.

4. Resilient diplomacy and capacity building*: Maintain full embassy operations with enhanced local coordination, deepen health, education, and cultural exchanges, and engage Nigerian stakeholders transparently in advisory reviews.

5. Multilateral alignment*: Coordinate with allies for consistent but nuanced guidance, positioning the relationship as a strategic partnership with Africa’s largest economy and democracy.

“This framework replaces signaling of isolation with engagement that rewards progress,” Onoh said. “It aligns with U.S. interests in African stability, counter-terrorism, energy security, and economic opportunity.”

He urged the U.S. government to review and reconsider the advisory, stating that the Tinubu administration “is fully committed to diplomatically work with the U.S. and all international communities in promotion of our mutual benefit… provided it’s met from a point of mutual respect rather than intimidation.”