Nigerian students aiming to study in the United States may experience extended delays in obtaining student visas, following a new directive from U.S. President Donald Trump. The directive instructs American embassies and consulates worldwide — including those in Nigeria — to suspend all new appointments for student (F, M) and exchange visitor (J) visas until further notice.
According to a U.S. State Department cable issued on Tuesday, the suspension is part of a broader overhaul of visa screening procedures. “The department is conducting a review of existing operations and processes for screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor visa applicants,” the cable states, with updated guidelines expected to be released “within days.”
The new policy compounds existing challenges faced by Nigerian students, who already grapple with lengthy delays in securing visa interview dates — sometimes waiting several months or more than a year.
First reported by Politico and confirmed by The Guardian, the visa suspension aligns with President Trump’s wider efforts to combat what he describes as “far-left ideologies” on American campuses. The administration has also intensified scrutiny of pro-Palestinian activism, directing consular officers to monitor applicants’ social media accounts for any expressions of support for groups labeled as engaging in “terrorist activity,” including support for Palestine.
Under the new rules, social media screening will apply to all student visa applicants, not just those considered high-risk. Officers will review platforms such as TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram for potential red flags.
This move comes despite the significant economic contribution of international students — over one million of whom add an estimated $43.8 billion annually to the U.S. economy, including thousands from Nigeria. With appointments now frozen and vetting measures tightened, many Nigerian students may find themselves in uncertainty just months before the fall 2025 academic intake.
