Reactions As Seychelles Bans Nigerian Passport Holders From Holiday Visits

Seychelles has allegedly imposed a ban on Nigerian passport holders from visiting the country for holiday purposes.

The ban came to light on Saturday evening, July 8, 2023 when a Twitter user and travel content creator, @munafromtravelletters, shared a screenshot of an email rejecting their Seychelles visa application.

The email stated, “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. Kindly contact http://www.ics.gov.sc/ (Seychelles Immigration) or call 248 4 293 636 for more information.”

The user stated, “It seems Seychelles just placed a ban on Nigerian passport holders. The thing with having a Nigerian passport is you can be postponing travel plans until you become Bill Gates and immigration policies will be like Dey play.”

The list of visa free, e-visa and visa on arrival destinations keeps reducing by the day. God have mercy.

— MunafromTravelletters (@Munachimsoooo) July 8, 2023

When TheCable contacted the Seychelles government’s customer support, they confirmed the authenticity of the screenshot but did not provide specific reasons for the imposition of the ban.

The response received was, “Yes, but no further information is available at this time,” from the border security.

Prior to this ban, Nigeria and Seychelles had a longstanding visa-free agreement that allowed Nigerian citizens to enter Seychelles without a visa for a period of 30 days.

The announcement of the ban has triggered a range of reactions from social media users, with many expressing their disappointment over the increasing number of foreign bans against Nigerian passport holders.

See some reactions below:

Seychelles had imposed ban on Nigerian passport holders. Small Seychelles in Africa o. Looooool. 9ja which way? pic.twitter.com/Hoz0s1rew8

— Dr Penking™🇳🇬🇦🇺 (@drpenking) July 9, 2023

When you ask a Seychellois about Nigerians, the conversation is same.

First time I visited, they talked about how Nigerians always peddled drugs

Ethiopia used to be Visa on arrival, now you have to apply for e-visa , I think.

Dubai- Ban. Now seems Seychelles

Who is next?

— ＤＯＣＴＯＵＲ (@wakawaka_doctor) July 9, 2023

Seychelles has seemingly placed a ban on Nigerian passport holders from visiting on holiday purposes.

Blanket bans on entire countries isn’t only lazy, it is discriminatory and an expression of xenophobia.

image H/T: @Munachimsoooo pic.twitter.com/YGvKxktIm9

— Moe (@Mochievous) July 9, 2023

Nigerians do not actually know what it means to be treated decently. When I said Seychelles banning an entire nation was discrimination there were people in my mentions saying “maybe we deserve it”.

There’s nothing that justifies banning an entire country. https://t.co/T4dSBYNjw8

— Moe (@Mochievous) July 9, 2023

Dead it. The drug (heroin) problem in Seychelles has been ongoing since the 90s, most of it from East Africa. Kenyans are largely associated with this issue. No ban targeting Kenyans. This recent arrest of 7 Nigerians at the airport does not warrant a total ban on ~ 200m NGns. https://t.co/xaYyj0Xsvm

— njabulo.t (@teaponpi) July 9, 2023

Nigeria sign pact with Seychelles for direct flights with Seychelles in 2022.
Today, Seychelles place ban on Nigeria passport. Why? Some Nigerians are pushing drug into Republic of Seychelles a country with a population of about 101,500.
Ridiculous!
Only a separate Yoruba nation pic.twitter.com/HAXDsQBi6d

— Muyiwa Omo Yoruba❤ (@AroleAade) July 9, 2023

So Seychelles has imposed a ban on Nigerian passport, you can’t apply for short- time visa or even holiday.

I thought it was same Seychelles that had a long standing agreement on Nigerian citizens free entry even without visa for 30days just few months ago? What happened?🤔

— Plateau A$ian girl☆ (@CatiaKyen) July 9, 2023

This is what Nigerians did in Seychelles, Drug trafficking, this people didn't ban Nigerians for no reason,it is so sad, this bad eggs will keep implicating the innocent ones,

Afterall they have a role model in Nigeria. https://t.co/Kcb4sEN8N0 pic.twitter.com/bc3SgVLht1

— Ogbeni Gugu (@Gugumedia_) July 9, 2023

The issue in Seychelles is not really only about drugs in the country BUT our people dey go obtain their passports then use am dey go cast for other countries, thereby bringing very bad records to the very small tourist country, now the small country just want to breathe!

— Chimeze🇳🇬 (@ChimaezeDim) July 10, 2023

Seychelles and heroine consumption 🤝

But some people think that they placed a visa ban on Nigeria because drugs.

Last last sha, this is what happens when you see 30+ people on this app that do not know who Frank Omenka and co are.

People that do not read 🥲🥲

— Seyon Hundeyin (@Hundeyin1) July 9, 2023

Seychelles is just 107.4 thousand population. Seychelles population isn't not up to ijebu igbo in Ogun state. Today. Seychelles place a ban on Nigeria passport because Emeka & Chinedu was caught with drugs. South Africa. Malaysia. Indonesia. India don't want us in their country… pic.twitter.com/SC8CEnZ2ZN

— IFÁ FUNSHO 𓋹 (@funshographix) July 9, 2023

Nigerians are not even in the league, it only takes having a bad leader to mess you up.
Most Nigerians don't read either, or most of them are being dishonest.
Nigerians don't move upto 10% of the drugs in Seychelles.
We are just a bunch of lazy noisemakers who they use for shows. pic.twitter.com/tTVjsMmiFg

— EBUS (@Finca316) July 9, 2023

KanyiDaily recalls the United Kingdom had also announced its plan to ban Nigerians and other foreign students from bringing their family members with them to the country.