Seychelles Implements Travel Ban on Nigerian Passport Holders for Holiday Purposes

The government of Seychelles has recently imposed a travel ban on Nigerian passport holders, preventing them from visiting the country for holiday purposes. This development was confirmed by the country’s border security to TheCable on Sunday, following a tweet by @munafromtravelletters, a prominent travel content creator, who shared a screenshot of a Seychelles visa application rejection email.

The screenshot, which quickly gained attention on social media, displayed a message stating, “We regret to inform you that your application has been denied, as per immigration regulation, for now we are not accepting any NIGERIAN passport holder for holiday purposes.” The email further instructed individuals to contact Seychelles Immigration or call a specific number for additional information.

In response to inquiries, the Seychelles government’s customer support service confirmed the authenticity of the screenshot but declined to provide specific reasons for the travel ban. When asked for more details, the border security reiterated, “Yes, but no further information is available at this time.”

Interestingly, the imposition of this travel ban comes only months after Nigeria and Seychelles signed a pact in December 2022 to facilitate direct flights between the two nations. At the time, Hadi Sirika, the former minister of aviation in Nigeria, and Anthony Derjacques, the Seychelles’ minister of transport, expressed their shared belief that the agreement would promote the African Union’s agenda 2063, while fostering business opportunities and boosting tourism.

Before the travel ban was implemented, Nigerian citizens enjoyed a longstanding visa-free agreement with Seychelles, granting them 30 days of entry without the need for a visa. The sudden shift in policy has generated mixed reactions on social media, with many expressing frustration over the increasing number of foreign bans targeting Nigerian passport holders.

While the Seychelles government has yet to provide clear explanations for this decision, the travel ban’s implications for Nigerian tourists seeking to explore the picturesque islands of Seychelles are undoubtedly disappointing. As the situation continues to unfold, individuals affected by the ban are advised to contact Seychelles Immigration for further updates and guidance.