A recent travel advisory issued by the United States Department of State has sparked considerable diplomatic discussion and criticism from Nigerian officials. On April 8, 2026, the US Department of State retained Nigeria at Level 3: Reconsider Travel, citing concerns including crime, terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, and inconsistent healthcare. The advisory further expanded its Level 4: Do Not Travel list to include Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba states, bringing the total number of restricted states to 23. It also authorized the voluntary departure of non-emergency US government personnel and their families from its Abuja embassy, attributing this to a “deteriorating security situation.”

Denge (Dr) Josef Onoh, a former South-East spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, vehemently described the advisory as “ill-timed” and “politically motivated.” In a statement, Onoh warned that such measures could strain diplomatic relations between the two countries. While acknowledging Nigeria’s genuine security challenges, such as the operations of insurgent groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province in the North-East, and banditry and kidnappings in parts of the North-West and North-Central, he argued that these threats are largely regional rather than nationwide.

Onoh contended that the advisory’s “broad framing and recent expansions warrant a measured response,” insisting that major commercial hubs like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt continue to host international businesses and expatriates. He asserted that the advisory’s “wide brush risks overstating dangers for prepared travellers who use vetted transport, private security, and local intelligence.” Furthermore, Onoh highlighted the Tinubu administration’s active efforts to address insecurity, noting that the 2026 Appropriation Bill of ₦58.18 trillion allocated ₦5.41 trillion, the largest share, to defense and internal security. He added that Nigerian security forces continue operations that disrupt insurgent and bandit networks.

Drawing comparisons, Onoh pointed out that countries like Mexico and South Africa, which also face security concerns, have not been subjected to similarly expansive advisories. He found Nigeria’s treatment, with 23 states flagged, to be disproportionately broad given ongoing commercial activity and diplomacy in non-affected zones. Onoh also underscored Nigeria’s economic progress under President Tinubu, including a 3.98% GDP growth in the third quarter of 2025, inflation decline for eight consecutive months to 14.45% by November 2025, strengthened foreign reserves between $44 billion and $47 billion, and a trade surplus. He argued that these economic gains address root causes of insecurity, such as poverty and unemployment, while supporting long-term stability.

In his summary, Onoh stated that while the advisory “correctly flags genuine risks that require caution, especially in high-threat zones,” its tone, the partial staff departure authorization, and nationwide ‘reconsider’ framing appear “overly punitive, politically motivated and insufficiently nuanced.” He urged the US to adopt a more targeted and collaborative approach, suggesting granular, metrics-based regional advisories limited to high-risk areas, while downgrading cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt to Level 2. He also called for expanded security cooperation, including intelligence sharing, training, and technology transfer to tackle terrorism and banditry, suggesting that genuine concern, rather than political motivation, would lead to stronger collaboration.

Responding to the advisory, the Federal Government of Nigeria affirmed that the nation remains stable and fully functional. Through a statement by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government described the advisory as a precautionary measure based on internal protocols, asserting that it does not reflect the overall security situation in the country. Idris emphasized that public institutions remain operational, with no disruption to governance, economic activity, or daily life. He detailed measurable gains by security agencies through coordinated military operations, intelligence-led interventions, and enhanced inter-agency collaboration, which have led to the disruption of criminal networks and improved security conditions in several parts of the country.

The Minister acknowledged that isolated security challenges persist but firmly stated that there is no general breakdown of law and order nationwide, with security agencies actively engaged in protecting lives and property. He reiterated that Nigeria remains open for business, travel, and investment, with ongoing economic reforms strengthening investor confidence and international engagement. The Federal Government urged international partners to rely on balanced and updated assessments of Nigeria’s security situation, emphasizing that engagement with authorities provides a clearer picture on the ground. Nigerian authorities consistently maintain that despite such advisories from foreign missions, the country continues to record steady security gains through sustained military operations and intelligence-led interventions across multiple regions, viewing the US advisory as a standard precautionary step consistent with embassy security protocols.