Hundreds of Nigerian PhD students in the United States (U.S) are facing an employment limbo as their program is coming to an end.
The decision comes as the U.S visa restrictions under Presidential Proclamation 10998 became effective on January 1, 2026.
Under the proclamation, the United States will partially suspend the issuance of certain visas to Nigerian nationals beginning at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026.
The suspension covers:
- Nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas
- F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas
- Immigrant visas, with limited exceptions
However, U.S. authorities have stressed that the measure applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not hold a valid U.S. visa as of January 1, 2026.
U.S officials stated: “Foreign nationals, even those outside the United States, who hold valid visas as of the effective date are not subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998. No visas issued before January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, have been or will be revoked pursuant to the Proclamation.”
These policies partially suspend new issuances of F, M, and J student visas for Nigerian nationals, while a companion USCIS policy memo (PM-602-0194) places holds on pending immigration benefit applications, including Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT extensions critical for post-graduation work authorization.
This has left many Nigerian PhD students in the U.S currently completing advanced degrees in American universities trapped in employment limbo.
Nigerian PhD candidates in fields like engineering, biomedical sciences, computer science, and public health across the U.S often rely on STEM OPT, which allows up to 36 months of work experience after graduation, to bridge the gap between academia and professional careers or transition to employment-based visas such as H-1B.
With processing paused for nationals of Nigeria and other listed countries, students who have filed for OPT or extensions report indefinite delays, leaving job offers in jeopardy and forcing some to consider abrupt returns to Nigeria without practical experience or income.
Students transitioning from F-1 student status to H-1B specialty worker status are finding their petitions stalled, preventing them from starting post-doctoral or professional roles.
Also U.S President Donald Trump’s administration had rolled out a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visas, making U.S job dreams expensive for skilled professionals.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the H-1B visa fee hike policy was signed into effect on September 19, 2025.
The H-1B program allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations like tech, engineering, and healthcare.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass gathered that graduates in high-demand STEM areas risk losing momentum in their careers, as employers hesitate to hire candidates whose work authorization remains uncertain.
Some students have reported rescinded job offers or delayed start dates, pushing talented researchers back into academic limbo or toward opportunities in Canada, the UK, or Europe, where policies appear more stable.
This situation has also been echoed on social media by a travel consultant, Dr Oludayo Sokunbi.
Sokunbi said he has been receiving complaints from many Nigerian PhD students in the U.S over the lack of a feasible transition to a work visa.
He said: “My heart goes out to Nigerian 🇳🇬 students in the USA🇺🇸 who will be finishing their master’s or PhD this year.
“A lot of my people there have reached out to me about an alternative pathway.
“As it is, you can’t get an H-1B visa to work.
“PhD students may have to come back home after their degree.
“Even if you have an EB1A or EB2 NIW approved, you can’t change your visa until the ban is lifted.
“The ONLY option available to MSc students is to start a PhD (Many may have to do this).
“Another option is to come meet me here in Canada 🇨🇦 via school.”
