The United States Mission in Nigeria has cautioned travellers against using U.S. visas to give birth, warning that applicants suspected of pursuing American citizenship for their unborn children will be denied entry.
The embassy issued the statement on Monday through its official X handle, stressing that consular officers are now on alert for cases of “birth tourism.”
The warning has revived discussions about Nigeria’s healthcare and the country’s growing dependence on foreign hospitals. Former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, said the move reflects tighter immigration rules aimed at curbing loopholes in U.S. citizenship laws.
In a similar vein, the Nigerian Medical Association called on the federal government to see the situation as a wake-up call to overhaul the country’s hospitals.
“If our facilities were functional and attractive, there would be no need for this level of medical tourism,” said NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu.
Analysts say the embassy’s stance reteirates not just U.S. immigration priorities but also Nigeria’s urgent need to strengthen domestic healthcare infrastructure.
