By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Nigerian travellers are among those now facing fresh restrictions after the United States placed 16 African countries on its high-risk travel advisory list, warning citizens to avoid or reconsider visiting these destinations due to worsening security threats, political instability, and health concerns.
The updated advisory, issued in September 2025 by the U.S. Department of State, categorises countries under its four-tier system that ranges from Level 1, where citizens are urged to “exercise normal precautions,” to Level 4, which carries the strongest warning: “do not travel.”
The State Department explained that its travel risk assessments draw on intelligence provided by U.S. embassies and consulates, as well as inputs from agencies including the FBI, CIA, Department of Defence, and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to the advisory, crime rates, terrorism threats, civil unrest, natural disasters, and the ability of local governments to provide emergency support are also taken into account.
Countries such as Sudan, Mali, and Ethiopia remain on the list, having faced strict advisories since 2023 due to ongoing civil wars, extremist activity, and political instability.
Newer entries in 2025 include Nigeria, Burundi, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Uganda.
While Level 1 and Level 2 destinations are judged relatively safe, with risks comparable to what U.S. citizens might face at home or in moderately unstable environments, the African countries flagged under Level 3 and Level 4 pose what Washington describes as “life-threatening dangers.”
The Department of State emphasised that the advisories are primarily aimed at safeguarding U.S. citizens abroad, but they also function as diplomatic signals of Washington’s perception of stability in different regions.