U.S. Warns Dual-National Nigerians: Use American Passports Only

​ABUJA — The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a stern directive warning dual-national citizens that they are legally prohibited from using foreign passports or Electronic System for Travel Authorizations (ESTAs) to cross American borders.

​The advisory, released via the mission’s official social media channels, highlights a mandatory federal statute requiring all U.S. citizens—including infants and minors holding dual citizenship—to exclusively use a valid American passport for all departures from and entries into the United States.

​According to the mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has ramped up screening protocols, leading to routine cancellations and rejections of ESTA applications submitted by dual nationals attempting to travel on foreign credentials.

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​Immigration authorities reiterate that because American citizens are legally barred from obtaining U.S. visas or traveling on electronic waivers, attempting to bypass U.S. passport mandates can result in severe travel disruptions at departure gates.

​The U.S. Mission has urged members of the Nigerian-American diaspora to audit their travel documents immediately. Citizens with expired or soon-to-expire American passports are advised to schedule renewal appointments at the embassy or consulate well ahead of scheduled itineraries, keeping in mind that global carriers frequently enforce strict six-month validity rules for international transit.