Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has cautioned the United States against imposing visa restrictions on ECOWAS countries, warning that such policies would serve as non-tariff barriers capable of stalling crucial business and investment partnerships.

Speaking in Abuja during the 54th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at Ministerial Level, Tuggar expressed concern over reports that Washington may extend visa restrictions to more countries within the West African bloc.

“This would be most unfortunate if it comes to pass,” he said. “We are a region of opportunities ready to do deals. We possess critical minerals and even rare earths such as Samarium from the Monazite found in my home state, Bauchi.”

Tuggar stressed the importance of unrestricted mobility for government officials, technocrats, and investors, noting that such access is essential for closing investment agreements and driving long-term economic growth.

“Visa restrictions are non-tariff barriers to deals,” he said. “We want to partner with the U.S., but the question is: Who is ready to seize the opportunities by ensuring freedom of travel to facilitate these deals?”

He described ECOWAS as a strategic energy and investment hub, offering an alternative to politically volatile or distant sources, and urged the U.S. to pursue a need-based, mutually beneficial partnership with West Africa.

Tuggar’s comments come amid renewed speculation that the U.S. may expand Trump-era travel bans to cover more African countries, including Togo, which has reportedly been flagged in preliminary discussions.

While previous U.S. restrictions targeted countries like Somalia, Chad, Libya, Sudan, Eritrea, and Iran, citing national security concerns, critics say the policies undermined economic ties and damaged diplomatic relations.

The minister’s remarks reflect growing concern that Washington’s immigration policies risk alienating a region with vast untapped resources and emerging markets, even as rival powers like China and Russia deepen their footprint across Africa.

“We are open and ready for business,” Tuggar reiterated. “Now is the time to engage not retreat.”