Nigeria to U.S.: We Won’t Take Your Deportees

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has firmly rejected mounting pressure from the United States to accept deported Venezuelan nationals, some of whom are reportedly ex-convicts.

Speaking in a televised interview on Friday, Tuggar described the request, part of a broader effort under former U.S. President Donald Trump, as unreasonable and detrimental to Nigeria’s national interests.

“We Will Not Be Strong-Armed” – Tuggar Pushes Back

Minister Tuggar accused Washington of attempting to coerce African countries into taking in migrants the U.S. cannot repatriate directly.

He said Nigeria, already grappling with its own internal challenges, cannot bear the burden of receiving Venezuelan deportees.

“You have to also bear in mind that the US is mounting considerable pressure on African countries to accept Venezuelans to be deported from the US, some straight out of prison,” Tuggar stated.

“It will be difficult for a country like Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners.

“We have enough problems of our own.”

He concluded bluntly, “The issue of accepting Venezuelan deportees, honestly, I don’t think is something Nigeria is in a position to work with.”

BRICS+ Tensions Loom Over U.S.-Nigeria Relations

Analysts suggest that U.S. pressure on Nigeria could be influenced by Nigeria’s recent admission into the BRICS+ alliance.

It is a powerful economic bloc comprising emerging economies including China, India, Russia, and South Africa, along with new members such as Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE.

Nigeria formally joined BRICS+ in January 2025, and President Bola Tinubu participated in the group’s summit held July 6–7.

Shortly afterward, President Trump announced sweeping 10% tariffs on all imports from BRICS+ countries, calling the bloc “anti-American.”

While Tuggar did not directly link the deportation request to Nigeria’s BRICS+ membership, he acknowledged that tensions between Washington and the bloc may be shaping the diplomatic landscape.

U.S. Pressure Campaign Targets Multiple African Nations

Nigeria is not alone.

During a recent White House meeting with the presidents of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal, Trump reportedly urged each leader to agree to resettle third-country deportees, a group that includes Venezuelans among others.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. State Department circulated documents during the event asking for agreement on the “dignified, safe, and timely transfer” of these individuals from U.S. territory.

This reflects a pattern seen during Trump’s first presidency, where Washington explored relocating migrants to third-party nations if deportation to their countries of origin proved difficult or legally blocked.

“This Might Just Be the Beginning” – Tuggar Warns

Minister Tuggar raised concerns that the deportation request could be just the first in a series of U.S. demands.

“I think it would be unfair to insist that Nigeria accepts 300 Venezuelan deportees,” he said.

“Maybe that might just even be the beginning.”

Although he did not elaborate on what further demands might follow, Tuggar’s comments point to growing unease about Washington’s diplomatic posture toward African nations.

Visa Policy Disputes Add to Diplomatic Strain

In addition to migration issues, U.S.-Nigeria relations are facing friction over recent changes to visa policies.

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria announced updates this week to non-immigrant visa rules for Nigerians, suggesting a shift toward more restrictive policies.

Tuggar, however, dismissed U.S. claims that the move was part of a “reciprocal” arrangement.

He clarified that Nigeria’s own recent visa reform, which now issues 90-day visas electronically rather than upon arrival, was aimed at improving efficiency, not retaliation.

“We are talking to the Americans.

“We are engaging them.

“We are also reminding them that we issue visas the same way they do,” Tuggar said.

“Our visa doesn’t say every American gets only 90 days. Many Americans have long-term visas… it is not based on reciprocity.”

Conclusion: A Diplomatic Flashpoint in the Making

Tuggar’s remarks reveal growing diplomatic tension between Nigeria and the United States, driven by immigration demands, visa disputes, and geopolitical realignments such as BRICS+.

As Nigeria asserts its independence on the world stage, especially through its BRICS+ membership, it appears less willing to comply with Washington’s unilateral expectations.

This is supposedly a stance that could reshape U.S.-Africa relations in the years ahead.

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