Claim:
A viral social media post claims that former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a ban preventing all Nigerian politicians from visiting the United States, froze international Nigerian bank accounts, and ordered the deportation of 2 million Nigerians.
Fact:
There is no evidence to support any of these claims. No official U.S. policy under Trump’s administration specifically banned Nigerian politicians, froze Nigerian bank accounts, or ordered mass deportations of Nigerians.
Investigation:
1. No Ban on Nigerian Politicians
- There is no official record or announcement from the U.S. State Department, White House, or Department of Homeland Security indicating any restriction on Nigerian politicians traveling to the United States.
- While Trump had previously imposed travel restrictions on certain countries, including Nigeria in 2020, it did not specifically target politicians but was instead related to visa policies affecting immigrant applications.
- Furthermore, Reuters reported on January 27 that Nigerian markets were still attracting investor interest, suggesting no direct hostility toward Nigerian political or financial institutions under Trump’s administration.
2. No Mass Deportation of Nigerians
- The claim that 2 million Nigerians face deportation is not backed by any credible data.
- According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) records as of November 24, 2024, only 3,690 Nigerians were on the non-detained docket with final orders for removal—far from the 2 million figure stated in the viral post.
- U.S. Census Bureau estimates also show that the total Nigerian population in the U.S. is under 500,000, making it mathematically impossible for 2 million Nigerians to be facing deportation.
- Additionally, the Pew Research Center and Migration Policy Institute, both organizations that track U.S. immigration policies, have stated that the claim of mass Nigerian deportations is not supported by any data.
3. No Evidence of Nigerian Bank Account Freezes
- There is no U.S. Treasury Department directive or international financial sanction freezing Nigerian bank accounts.
- If such a policy had been implemented, it would have been widely reported in international media and financial networks, yet no reputable news organization has confirmed this claim.
- The White House, U.S. Department of the Treasury, and Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry did not respond to requests for comment, but no official records indicate any action against Nigerian accounts.
Conclusion:
The viral post falsely claims that Donald Trump banned Nigerian politicians from entering the U.S., froze Nigerian bank accounts, and ordered the deportation of 2 million Nigerians. There is no evidence or official documentation to support any of these allegations. The post is completely false and misleading.
Verdict: ❌ False
This claim is misinformation with no basis in reality.
