Visa Requirement Is a Test Nigeria Has Failed – Utomi

Political economist Pat Utomi has said the tightening of travel restrictions on Nigerians reflects the country’s governance failures, lamenting that citizens can no longer travel with the ease they once enjoyed.

Utomi, a former 2011 presidential candidate under the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP), made the remarks on X on Thursday after arriving in the United States, comparing the current visa requirements with the freedom Nigerians once had.

“These days, travel reminds me of who we used to be. When I first traveled to the UK in the early 70s, I did not have to have a visa from Lagos. Our Asian friends still enjoy that privilege,” Utomi wrote.

Utomi recalled that in the past, Nigerian students could travel abroad for leisure and return in time for classes.

“Some of my friends used to finish class on Friday, fly overnight to London, go shopping on Saturday, party all night, get on a flight on Sunday and be in class on Monday. Which undergrad would contemplate that today?” he said.

Utomi said the international community imposes visa restrictions on countries that have not been well governed.

“The international community punishes people from countries that have not been well governed. Visa requirement is usually a first test,” he said.

“So when I hear the swag of those who talk about experience, I want to remind them that their experience devalued Nigeria.”

Have just arrived the US. These days travel reminds me of who we used to be. When I first traveled to the UK in the early 70s.I did not have to have a visa from Lagos. Our Asian friends still enjoy that privilege. Some of my friends used to finish class on Friday fly overnight to…

— Pat Utomi (@UtomiPat) August 27, 2026