Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has urged the Federal Government to respond in kind if the United States adds Nigeria to a list of countries hit with a visa ban.

This was after an internal memo signed by Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, showed that 36 countries might be affected by the travel ban if approved by US President Donald Trump.

The move by the US is motivated by a lack of government transparency and a proper database to freely vet the backgrounds of travellers from the countries.

Reacting, Sani said there is no reason for the US to include Nigeria in the list of those to be issued travel ban.

“The US should not ban Nigerians from traveling to their country. There is no reason to do that. We don’t fall into the category of those Countries they consider as threats. But if they eventually ban us, our country should respond with similar gesture. However, there are those of us who appreciate the peace and dignity of our villages and mud houses than going to live in places where we are not welcomed,” he said on X.