Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, has weighed in on the controversial visa bond recently imposed by the United States on Nigerian travellers, delivering his reaction with characteristic bluntness and satire.
In a statement shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, the 7th of January, 2026, Sani argued that Nigerians, through their own actions and narratives, paved the way for the policy.
Recall that on Tuesday, the 6th of January, the United States rolled out a fresh round of travel restrictions affecting Nigerian travellers.
Central to the new measures is a requirement for applicants to post visa bonds of up to $15,000, a move aimed at tightening compliance with visa conditions and discouraging overstays. The policy adds another layer of difficulty to U.S. entry rules and comes barely a week after partial travel restrictions on Nigeria had already taken effect.
Reacting to the development, the outspoken former lawmaker did not mince words. He said, “The $15,000 visa bond imposed on Nigerians is part of the dividends of what some Nigerians invited for their country.
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“If you tell the world that your family are witches, the world has to protect itself from your family.”
Sani’s comments have since sparked conversations online, with many interpreting his remarks as a criticism of how negative self-portrayal and damaging narratives can shape international perceptions and policies.
As the debate continues, the new U.S. visa requirements remain a stark reminder of how global decisions can be influenced by reputation, conduct, and the stories nations tell about themselves.