Charmaine Hyden (CharmainesPosts) Questions Donald Trump’s ‘favour’ for Nigeria’s Christians After Travel Ban

Political analyst Charmaine Hyden (CharmainesPosts) shared insight into the US travel ban on Nigeria while posing an important question that has been on many Nigerians’ minds… “I thought he loved us.”

The Socia-ecominic commentator and the Fund manager at GOODsoil VC built a quite attentive audience by sharing, breaking down, and sparking conversations about socioeconomics, politics, and business policies worldwide. This time, she has turned her attention to the recent travel ban on 39 countries, specifically the partial ban on Nigeria. She opened her commentary with a blunt observation:

Well, it looks like Trump’s favor toward Nigerians was short-lived, wasn’t it?”, before going on to add:

“…can you imagine America just canceled 85,000 visas in total. Tens of thousands of them, who were Nigerian visa holders, right?, are now barred from entry. And whilst they weren’t citizens, they believed their visas made them safe. They got no warning, no refund, no appeal. And this included students, parents, skilled workers, and Christians. Yes, I said it.

The same group that he claimed to care so much about just cut off. And it wasn’t just Nigerians, right? Other African and Caribbean nationals are facing similar restrictions. Places like Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, whole countries including Cuba, Venezuela, and many others, right? Getting shut out quietly…” 

From Aid Threats to Concern for Christians, and Now Travel Bans: Trump’s Complicated Stance on Nigeria

In addition to travel restrictions, immigration policies, and tariffs, the current US administration, led by President Donald Trump, has been at the helm of many controversial policies. However, as far as Nigeria is concerned, President Donald Trump has gone from designating Nigeria “a country of particular concern” for allegedly failing to rein in the persecution of Christians and even going further, stating that he “will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria”:

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump posted on social media. “I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!”

Planning Beyond Escape: Charmaine Hyden on Migration as Strategy

Many Nigerians in Nigeria and in the diaspora are re-strategizing their Japa movement; the rest of the country is hoping for a better Nigeria. Beyond the question of what the true intentions of the United States or France are, CharmainesPosts reiterated the importance of “building a home where possible” and considering other countries that are better suited as a “long-term plan, not a getaway plan”:

“…First and foremost, who would always say to build a home where possible, right? I know it’s not always realistic, not with these currencies, not with these governments, these living costs. So, if you’re going to apply to travel, do it with strategy, right? Not just hope.

Look for countries that offer a real path to residency, not just a two-year visa and a pat on the head. Ghana, Barbados, Portugal, if it fits your situation, right? Rwanda, Mauritius, all a long-term plan, not a getaway plan…”

For Nigerians in Diaspora, Charmaine Hyden urged them to explore the types of legal routes that would “protect you when things flip.” She included options like second passports, study-to-stay programs, and remote income streams:

“…And if you’re already abroad, try not to move like a visitor. Move like someone building their future, right? That means legal routes, the kind that protects you when things flip, right? That could be a second passport if you’re eligible, that is, or regional states.

Um, study to stay programs, remote income that isn’t tied to location, whatever gives you uh like any atom of actual security, not just a stamp. Guys, in this economy, plan Bs aren’t luxuries anymore, they’re lifelines because the visa gets you in, but it won’t keep you safe. Anyway, talk to me in the comment section. What are your thoughts on this?”