The United States government has cautioned American investors and business executives about the risks of detention during routine business trips to Nigeria. This warning is particularly relevant for those whose companies are involved in regulatory investigations or tax disputes with Nigerian authorities.

The advisory was published in the 2026 Nigeria Investment Climate Statement by the US Department of State. It highlights concerns over the alleged use of arbitrary detention, travel restrictions, and immigration enforcement as tools to pressure foreign businesses operating within Nigeria. The report states, "U.S. businesses are advised that standard business trips can escalate into detention if the firm is under regulatory suspicion or faces charges by Nigerian authorities."

The US government has accused Nigerian authorities of employing coercive exit bans and arbitrary detention to compel multinational companies to resolve commercial disputes or to extract financial concessions. The report elaborates on how entry and exit restrictions, often referred to as watch lists, are routinely used by Nigerian officials to exert pressure on companies regarding outstanding regulatory disagreements or alleged tax liabilities.

A notable case cited in the report is that of Tigran Gambaryan, an American citizen and former IRS agent who was working as an executive at cryptocurrency exchange Binance. Gambaryan and another senior executive were detained in February 2024 upon their arrival in Abuja for meetings with Nigerian officials. Their passports were confiscated, and they were held without charge in a government facility before one of them managed to escape. Gambaryan later faced serious charges, including money laundering and tax evasion, and spent approximately eight months in detention before the charges were dropped on humanitarian grounds in October 2024.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences foreign executives may face when involved in regulatory disagreements with Nigerian authorities. Furthermore, the report raises alarms about the treatment of international business travelers at Nigerian airports, where security personnel have reportedly targeted passengers perceived as wealthy. Investigations by local media have revealed ongoing efforts by airport officials to extort money from these travelers.

The report also notes that foreign travelers entering Nigeria on business visas have faced delays when attempting to leave the country, as immigration officials scrutinize their activities to ensure compliance with visa conditions. Business visas typically allow for meetings and commercial engagements but do not permit paid employment.

In light of these issues, the State Department referenced a September 2025 executive order aimed at protecting American nationals from wrongful detention abroad. This order indicates that wrongful detention could be seen as a tactic to use foreign citizens as political bargaining tools.

Despite these challenges, the report acknowledges improvements in Nigeria's investment environment, highlighting a 25% increase in US foreign direct investment, which reached $7.9 billion by the end of 2024. Bilateral trade between Nigeria and the United States also rose to $14.8 billion in 2025, indicating ongoing commercial engagement between the two nations, even amid the identified risks.