In a dramatic move that has sent shockwaves across Nigeria, the United States has slapped sweeping visa restrictions on Nigerians and citizens from 23 other countries, citing so-called “deficiencies” in security and information-sharing. The decision, which many see as a direct snub to Africa’s most populous nation, has sparked outrage, confusion, and finger-pointing,especially from former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani.

The U.S. government’s latest proclamation targets a laundry list of countries, mostly from Africa, with Nigeria front and center. The restrictions cover a wide range of visa categories, including business, tourism, student, and exchange programs. The official line? The U.S. claims it can’t trust these countries to properly vet their citizens, so it’s shutting the door. The list also includes countries like Laos, Syria, and even holders of Palestinian Authority travel documents, but the overwhelming majority are African and Caribbean nations.

Senator Sani wasted no time jumping into the fray, taking to social media to air his grievances. But instead of holding the U.S. accountable for what many are calling a discriminatory policy, Sani turned the spotlight on Nigerians themselves. According to him, the message from America is simple: “Stay back and build your country or deal with your problems.”

Sani pointed out that while previous U.S. visa bans were supposedly about punishing government officials for religious persecution, this new wave hits ordinary Nigerians the hardest. “The first visa ban focused on those who engage in acts of religious persecution, and many jubilated on social media, thinking it’s only for government officials,” Sani wrote. “The second visa restriction is for everyone, now that Nigeria is listed among 23 others.”

He didn’t stop there. Sani questioned why the list is packed with Black African and Caribbean countries, with not a single Arab nation included, despite the U.S. citing “safety and security” as its rationale. “The message is very clear: third world migrants are not welcomed,” Sani declared, echoing what many see as a thinly veiled message from Washington.

The White House, meanwhile, is sticking to its script, insisting the restrictions are “necessary to prevent the entry of foreign nationals about whom the United States lacks sufficient information to assess the risks they pose.” But for many Nigerians, this is cold comfort as dreams of studying, working, or even visiting family in the U.S. are dashed overnight.

Predictably, Sani’s comments have ignited a firestorm online. Some Nigerians are rallying behind his call for self-reliance, while others are venting their anger at being shut out of global opportunities. The timing couldn’t be worse, as thousands of young professionals and students are already desperate to escape Nigeria’s economic woes and insecurity.

But Sani is doubling down, telling Nigerians to stop complaining and start fixing their own country. “Stay back and build your country or deal with your problems,” he repeated, as if that’s all it takes to solve decades of dysfunction.

With the U.S. visa ban now in full effect, the fallout is just beginning. Families are being separated, students’ futures are in limbo, and businesses are scrambling. Yet, according to Sani and his supporters, this is just the wake-up call Nigeria needs. Whether that’s realistic,or just another case of blaming the victim,remains to be seen.