With Donald Trump re-elected as U.S. president, Nigerian students aspiring to study in the U.S. face renewed concerns over potential immigration hurdles.

During his first term, Trump’s administration implemented policies that significantly delayed visa processing times, leaving Nigerian students, professionals, and families waiting for years in some cases.

Olumide Ohunayo, General Secretary of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ART), highlighted that the visa backlog stemming from Trump’s earlier policies is still causing delays today, with applicants often waiting two to three years for interviews. He warned that if Trump reinstates these policies in January, delays could worsen, posing challenges for Nigerian students and educational mobility.

As Nigerian leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, look to strengthen U.S.-Africa relations, concerns remain over how Trump’s immigration stance might affect Nigerian students’ plans, with potential setbacks for study visas and opportunities for international education.