Amid growing diplomatic friction between Nigeria and the United States, the Federal Government has firmly rejected a U.S. proposal to repatriate 300 Venezuelan deportees—including some with criminal records—to Nigerian soil. The proposal, viewed as part of broader geopolitical pressure from Washington, was publicly denounced by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, in a televised interview on Channels Television on Wednesday, July 10, 2025.
Tuggar strongly criticized the plan, calling it “unjust” and highlighting that Nigeria, already grappling with its own domestic challenges, cannot and will not accept deportees from a third country.
“We already have over 230 million citizens. It is grossly unfair to expect Nigeria to host 300 Venezuelan deportees,” Tuggar stated emphatically.
He added that any decision to accept foreign prisoners would spark public outrage and go against Nigeria’s interests.
Wider U.S. Push Pressures African States
Tuggar’s comments come as the U.S. continues pressing several African nations—including Senegal, Liberia, Gabon, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau—to receive deported migrants, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. Many of these individuals, the report revealed, include convicted persons who have either completed their sentences or whose home countries refuse to take them back.
Confirming the pressure campaign, Tuggar said,
“Yes, the U.S. is actively asking African countries to accept Venezuelans they wish to deport—some directly from prison. But we simply can’t take that on. Nigeria is not in a position to accept deported Venezuelan nationals—especially not prisoners.”
These diplomatic developments follow a high-level meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and five African leaders earlier this week. Trump reportedly emphasized reducing visa overstays and hinted at enforcing “safe third-country” agreements to shift responsibility for deportees. However, Liberia’s Foreign Minister denied receiving any official message on the matter.
Focus on Trade, Not Deportations
Instead of entertaining the deportation request, Tuggar said Nigeria is redirecting its diplomatic energy toward mutually beneficial economic agreements with the United States.
“We are focused on securing business deals with the U.S., especially in areas where we hold strategic value—gas, critical minerals, and rare earth elements that power their tech industry,” he explained.
Tuggar emphasized that Nigeria and the U.S. continue to engage in dialogue and negotiations to iron out differences, stressing that diplomacy remains active even amid policy disagreements.
Visa Restrictions Deepen the Divide
Adding to the strain, the U.S. Department of State recently introduced sweeping changes to visa rules for Nigerians. Under the new global reciprocity policy, nearly all non-immigrant and non-diplomatic Nigerian visa categories have been reduced to single-entry with a maximum three-month validity.
Tuggar rejected the move, labeling it non-reciprocal and politically motivated.
“These new visa rules are not based on fairness or mutual respect. They appear to be part of a broader geopolitical play,” he argued.
He also linked the shift to recent comments by President Trump, who suggested the U.S. would slap 10% tariffs on countries seen aligning with the BRICS alliance—a bloc that many Western leaders now perceive as a growing rival to U.S. influence.
Is Nigeria’s BRICS Alignment a Trigger?
Although Nigeria is not a full member of BRICS, it became a partner country in January 2025, joining others such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Ethiopia.
Despite speculations, Tuggar downplayed any link between Nigeria’s BRICS partnership and recent U.S. policy shifts.
“The threat of increased tariffs is not necessarily tied to our association with BRICS,” he clarified.
Still, diplomatic analysts suggest Nigeria’s pivot toward emerging market alliances and South-South cooperation may be unsettling traditional power dynamics in U.S.-Africa relations.
Nigeria Refuses to Serve as a Dumping Ground
Tuggar’s strong remarks reflect a broader Nigerian policy stance: the country will no longer accept policies that reduce it to a geopolitical pawn or a dumping ground for unwanted deportees from non-African nations.
“We have our hands full with internal security, economic reforms, and regional responsibilities. We simply cannot afford to accept foreign prisoners from a country like Venezuela,” he reiterated.
Observers say Nigeria’s refusal marks a critical moment in Africa’s growing pushback against one-sided global arrangements, especially those involving migration, security, and trade imbalances.
What Comes Next?
With diplomatic talks ongoing, attention now turns to whether the U.S. will ease visa restrictions or reconsider its deportation plan. Nigeria, on the other hand, seems poised to strengthen its voice on the global stage—signaling that it will engage, but on equal footing.
As geopolitical tensions rise and alliances shift, Nigeria’s message is clear: partnerships must be based on mutual respect, not pressure.
