Nigeria Rebuffs U.S. Pressure to Accept Deportees Amidst Immigration Debates

Nigeria has firmly rejected U.S. pressures to accept Venezuelan deportees, citing its own significant population challenges and ongoing issues.

In a recent statement, Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar made it clear that Nigeria will not comply with U.S. demands to accept deportees from Venezuela or any third-country prisoners. He invoked the words of American rap group Public Enemy, asserting, "Flava Flav has problems of his own. I can't do nothin' for you, man," during an interview with Channels TV, to emphasize that Nigeria has "enough problems" of its own, referring to the country's already vast population of over 230 million people.

These remarks follow an announcement from the U.S. Department of State, which threatened to impose stricter visa regulations on Nigeria and other African nations that do not comply with their deportation policies. In a move signaling a "global reciprocity realignment," the validity of non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas for Nigerian travelers will now be restricted to single-entry and a short duration of three months, a decision that Tuggar described as a non-reciprocal action.

Tuggar expressed concern over the fairness of expecting Nigeria to accept as many as 300 Venezuelan deportees, especially in light of recent U.S. visa curbs on Nigerian citizens, which he framed as coercive tactics rather than genuine diplomatic practice. He stated that such a move would not only be unjust but might also invite public criticism domestically.

Additionally, the comments come in the context of President Donald Trump's broader immigration policies, which have included threats to impose increased tariffs on countries aligning with the Brics alliance—a coalition of emerging economies countering Western influence. While Nigeria is not a full member of Brics, it is a partner nation, and Tuggar noted that the proposed tariff hikes are not directly linked to Nigeria's involvement with the group.

In addressing diplomatic resolutions, Tuggar confirmed ongoing discussions between Nigeria and the U.S., emphasizing that Nigeria seeks beneficial partnerships, notably given its significant natural resources that could be of interest to American tech industries.

Reports from the Wall Street Journal detailed how the Trump administration was proactively seeking commitments from several West African nations, including Liberia and Senegal, to accept U.S. deportees—an aggressive approach blending deportation with foreign policy. However, Liberia's Foreign Minister has publicly denied any such agreements with Washington.

As the discussions progress, Tuggar remains firm on Nigeria's stance, reiterating the nation's priorities amidst external immigration pressures.