Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has called on Nigerians and other Africans living in the United States to begin returning to their home countries, following reports that the Donald Trump administration has revoked tens of thousands of visas since the start of the year.
In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Sani advised those affected by the mass cancellations to leave the U.S. voluntarily before they are detained by immigration authorities.
“Nigerians and other thousands of Africans whose visas were recently revoked by President Trump should hasten and leave the country and return home before they get arrested by ICE,” Sani wrote.
The outspoken former lawmaker reminded Nigerians that no matter how comfortable life abroad may appear, it could never replace one’s homeland.
“No matter how long you live in the comfort of your adopted home, you will someday be reminded that it’s not your father’s house,” he added.
Sani’s comments come after new figures from the U.S. State Department revealed that the Trump administration had cancelled more than 80,000 visas between January and October 2025.
According to the report, this represents more than double the number of visas revoked in the entire previous year.
The U.S. government said the decision followed increased background checks and stricter immigration enforcement under President Trump’s renewed “America First” policy.
The report further disclosed that among the revoked visas were 16,000 linked to drunk driving offences, 12,000 for assault, and 8,000 student visas. Other cases reportedly involved individuals accused of overstaying their visas, participating in criminal activity, or posing potential threats to public safety.
Although the report did not name specific nationalities, earlier U.S. government statements from August 2025 had confirmed that over 6,000 student visas belonging to African nationals were cancelled for overstays and other legal violations, including a few connected to alleged support for terrorism.
This development has caused widespread concern among immigrants, particularly students and professionals from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and other African countries who are studying or working legally in the United States.
Shehu Sani, known for his outspoken activism and human rights advocacy, said the situation should serve as a reminder to Nigerians abroad about the importance of building their own country.
He urged those affected not to see the revocation as the end of opportunity but as a chance to reinvest their knowledge and skills at home.
“No matter how promising life abroad may seem, Nigerians must remember that their true place of belonging is here. The West will always act in its own national interest,” Sani wrote.
The former senator has often used his social media platforms to comment on issues affecting Nigerians at home and abroad. His latest post attracted widespread reactions, with many users expressing mixed feelings—some agreeing with his call for self-reliance, while others said returning home would be difficult due to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
The visa revocations are part of the Trump administration’s tough immigration stance, which has intensified since his return to office in January 2025.
President Trump, who previously served from 2017 to 2021, has made immigration control a central theme of his second term, promising to “restore order” to America’s borders.
His administration has reinstated several policies from his first term, including stricter visa vetting, expanded deportations, and limitations on student and work visas.
U.S. officials say the move is necessary to protect national security and ensure that foreigners in the country comply with immigration laws. However, critics—including immigrant rights groups and civil society organisations—have condemned the measures as discriminatory, particularly against Africans and other developing nations.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other advocacy groups have described the mass cancellations as “collective punishment,” arguing that many innocent people are being affected by overbroad enforcement actions.
Shehu Sani’s call for Nigerians to return home has sparked debate online and offline.
Some Nigerians praised his message as a “timely reminder” that depending too much on life abroad can be risky, especially under changing political climates in foreign countries.
Others, however, argued that Nigeria’s harsh economic realities, such as high unemployment, insecurity, and inflation—make returning home an unrealistic option for many.
A Nigerian student in Chicago who requested anonymity said, “It’s easy to say ‘come home,’ but there are no jobs waiting for us in Nigeria. Many of us came here because we had no opportunities there.”
On the other hand, a U.S.-based entrepreneur from Lagos said he was considering returning to Nigeria after his work visa was unexpectedly cancelled. “I think it’s time to go home and start something. Maybe this is the push some of us need,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Sani reiterated his belief that the long-term solution lies in building Nigeria into a country that its citizens would not need to flee from.
He called on the government to provide better living conditions, job opportunities, and security to make Nigeria attractive to both returning migrants and those still at home.
“It is our responsibility to fix our country. If our homeland becomes prosperous, Nigerians will no longer seek refuge abroad,” he wrote.
