Olayiwola Matthew
The United States government has suspended the issuance of work visas for truck drivers from Nigeria and several other countries, citing safety and security risks.
The decision, announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Friday, comes after a review flagged concerns about road safety, regulatory standards, and verification of driver records in affected countries.
Officials said the temporary measure is aimed at protecting U.S. highways and logistics operations, noting that the suspension will remain in place until new safety protocols are agreed upon with the governments of the listed countries.
“The safety of American road users and the integrity of our transportation system remain top priorities,” the department said in a statement.
The suspension is expected to affect thousands of foreign drivers seeking employment in the U.S. haulage and logistics sector, an industry already grappling with labour shortages.
In Nigeria, transport unions have voiced concern over the development, warning that it could worsen unemployment among skilled drivers. They urged the federal government to engage U.S. authorities and address the highlighted safety issues.
The U.S. has not disclosed the full list of countries affected by the suspension, but officials confirmed that Nigeria is among those impacted.
The review process, according to the Department of Homeland Security, will include closer collaboration with international regulators to strengthen driver vetting and ensure compliance with global safety standards.