US Advisory Politically Motivated, Not Purely Security-Based – Onoh

Denge.(Dr).Josef Onoh, the chairman of forum of former members of Enugu State House of Assembly and former Southeast spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, onoh said that the April 8, 2026, United States Department of State aggressive travel to it’s citizens was ill timed, politically motivated […]

Denge.(Dr).Josef Onoh, the chairman of forum of former members of Enugu State House of Assembly and former Southeast spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, onoh said that the April 8, 2026, United States Department of State aggressive travel to it’s citizens was ill timed, politically motivated and strain to positive diplomatic relations between both countries because the advisory maintained Nigeria at Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to crime, terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, and inconsistent healthcare. It expanded the Level 4: Do Not Travel list by adding Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba states, bringing the total to 23 out of 36 states. The update also authorized voluntary departure of non-emergency US government employees and families from the Embassy in Abuja, citing a “deteriorating security situation.”

Onoh admitted that Nigeria does not deny its security challenges. Islamist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP operate in the northeast, banditry and mass kidnappings affect the northwest and north-central regions, and violent crime, including cultism and communal clashes, occurs in parts of the south. These threats are real and demand vigilance, particularly outside major urban centers.

Onoh said the US advisory’s broad framing and recent expansions warrant a measured response,

Onoh in countering the US advisory, said that risks are highly regional, not nationwide. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation and a federation with diverse economies. Commercial hubs such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt continue to host international businesses, expatriates, and daily operations. Foreign energy firms, including US-linked companies, maintain significant investments in secure corridors. Hence the advisory’s wide brush risks overstating dangers for prepared travelers who use vetted transport, private security, and local intelligence — standard practice in many emerging markets.

Onoh said that Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is confronting the threats head-on.
The Tinubu administration has made security its top priority. The 2026 Appropriation Bill of ₦58.18 trillion allocates the largest share — **₦5.41 trillion* — to defence and internal security for modernization of forces, intelligence-driven operations, border control, and counter-terrorism. Nigerian security forces continue operations that disrupt insurgent and bandit networks.

Onoh said that the US advisory if not politically motivated,the same US issues similar advisories for other countries facing comparable issues. Mexico maintains an overall Level 2 advisory but has multiple states at Level 4 due to cartel violence and kidnappings. South Africa faces high violent crime rates yet often receives less expansive warnings. Nigeria’s treatment, with 23 states flagged, appears disproportionately broad given ongoing commercial activity and diplomacy in non-affected zones. Travel advisories Onoh stated are conservative by design, but expansions can sometimes reflect broader diplomatic signals rather than purely granular risk data.

Onoh said that President Bola Tinubu’s reforms, from an economic perspective Nigeria recorded 3.98% GDP growth in Q3 2025, inflation moderated for eight consecutive months to 14.45% by November 2025, foreign reserves strengthened (reaching around $44–47 billion), and a trade surplus was achieved. These gains address root causes of insecurity such as poverty and unemployment while supporting long-term stability.

Onoh said that,While healthcare access varies, major private facilities in key cities meet international standards for those who can reach them.

In summary, Onoh said that the advisory correctly flags genuine risks that require caution, especially in high-threat zones. Yet its tone, the partial staff departure authorization, and nationwide “reconsider” framing can appear overly punitive, politically motivated and insufficiently nuanced.

Onoh said it risks undermining bilateral ties and legitimate investment without fully recognizing Nigeria’s scale, ongoing countermeasures, or economic resilience.

Onoh said that Nigeria and the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration welcomes honest, precise risk communication that supports partnership rather than broad-brush measures with potential self-fulfilling economic and diplomatic costs.

Onoh suggested an Alternative Positive Framework for the United States for better future diplomatic relations,
Instead of a broad “reconsider travel” advisory paired with partial embassy drawdown — which can signal distrust.

Onoh advised the the US to reconsider their current travel advisory position which in fairness seems politically motivated against the current administration and adopt targeted, partnership-oriented approach that balances honest risk acknowledgment with collaboration and incentives:

Onoh suggested rather than the aggressive travel advisory a Granular, metrics-based regional advisories: Limit strict “Do Not Travel” to active hotspots (e.g., core northeast and specific bandit corridors). Downgrade major commercial centers like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt to Level 2
Even my home state Enugu state, to a great level can boldly be said to be the safest state in the southeast yet it was included.
(“Exercise Increased Caution”) with practical guidance. Link future adjustments to verifiable improvements in incident rates or joint operations.

If the US travel advisory wasn’t politically motivated, the US government would have aimed at Strengthening security cooperation with Nigeria, expand intelligence sharing, training, equipment support, and technology transfers (surveillance, anti-kidnapping) against shared threats like terrorism and banditry. This would diplomatically be perceived as a mutual-benefit initiative that enhances regional stability and counters extremism.

Onoh stated that if the advisory wasn’t politically motivated, the US government had the option of adopting an Economic engagement in secure corridors to Promote targeted investment through programs like Prosper Africa in sectors such as energy, agriculture, tech, and renewables. Not limited to offering risk-mitigation tools (insurance, guarantees) for investors in designated safe zones, highlighting Nigeria’s reform-driven growth and opportunities. But they didn’t.

If the travel advisory wasn’t political and ill timmed, Onoh said that US ought to have explored a resilient diplomacy and capacity building alternative by maintaining full embassy operations with enhanced local coordination. Deepen health, education, and cultural exchanges to address advisory concerns and build people-to-people ties. Engage Nigerian stakeholders transparently in advisory reviews.

If not politically motivated, the current administration has demonstrated in every way it’s readiness to diplomatically partner with the United States and nothing restrained the US from adopting a Multilateral alignment approach rather than it’s aggressive travel advisory by Coordinating with allies for consistent but nuanced guidance, positioning the relationship as a strategic partnership with Africa’s largest economy and democracy.

Onoh stated that these framework replaces signaling of isolation with engagement that rewards progress.

In his words “It aligns with US interests in African stability, counter-terrorism, energy security, and economic opportunity. Nigeria’s challenges require sustained domestic leadership plus smart international support — not distancing that risks broader relational and economic costs.

Onoh suggested a constructive US posture would foster a virtuous cycle of improved security and stronger bilateral ties for shared prosperity and safety and urged the US government to review and reconsider their current advisory to it’s citizens in Nigeria as the president Bola Ahmed Tinubu led government is fully committed to diplomatically work with the US and all international communities in promotion of our mutual benefit for our countries provided it’s met from a point of mutual respect rather than intimidation.