Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, has firmly rejected US pressure to accept Venezuelan deportees, including former prisoners, citing Nigeria’s existing challenges. In an interview with Channels TV, Tuggar emphasized that Nigeria, with a population exceeding 230 million, cannot accommodate additional burdens like foreign deportees.
The Trump administration recently imposed visa restrictions on Nigerian travelers, limiting non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas to single-entry, three-month validity. Tuggar described these curbs as a non-reciprocal pressure tactic to force Nigeria into accepting 300 Venezuelan deportees.
The US is reportedly urging African nations, including Nigeria, Liberia, Senegal, Mauritania, Gabon, and Guinea-Bissau, to accept migrants whose home countries refuse or delay repatriation. Internal documents cited by the Wall Street Journal indicate the US seeks “third-country agreements” to address visa overstays and deportations.
President Donald Trump, during a meeting with five African leaders on Wednesday, hinted at these agreements to manage migration flows. However, Liberia’s foreign minister denied receiving any such communication from Washington, highlighting diplomatic tensions.
Tuggar argued that Nigeria’s participation in the BRICS alliance, where it became a partner country in January, is unrelated to the US tariff threats. The BRICS bloc, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and others, aims to challenge Western economic dominance.
The minister stressed Nigeria’s domestic challenges, stating, “We have enough problems of our own, we cannot accept Venezuelan deportees.” He underscored that accepting foreign prisoners would draw public criticism and strain Nigeria’s resources further.
Instead of yielding to US demands, Tuggar proposed strengthening economic ties, highlighting Nigeria’s abundant gas, critical minerals, and rare earths vital for American tech industries. He noted ongoing discussions with the US to resolve differences diplomatically.
The US also threatened a 10% tariff hike on countries aligning with BRICS policies that conflict with American interests. Tuggar dismissed this as unrelated to Nigeria’s BRICS partnership, focusing instead on mutual economic benefits.
