Nigeria: Nigeria rejects US pressure to accept Venezuelan deportees
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
Nigeria has firmly rejected the United States’ request to accept Venezuelan deportees, including prisoners, from the US Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that it would be difficult for Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners, citing the country’s existing problems and large population of over 230 million people.
The US is mounting considerable pressure on African countries to accept Venezuelan deportees, some straight out of prisons.
Tuggar emphasized that Nigeria cannot serve as a “dumping ground” for deportees and that accepting Venezuelan prisoners would be unfair.
The minister also addressed the US’s new visa policy, which imposes stricter requirements for non-immigrant visas, stating that the claim of reciprocity is false.
Tuggar clarified that the fresh 10% tariffs imposed on Nigeria by President Donald Trump’s administration may not necessarily have to do with President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with BRICS nations
President Tinubu attended the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 11 to 15, 2025, where Trump announced a 10% trade tariff on goods from BRICS nations, including Nigeria.
The US Embassy in Nigeria announced visa restrictions for Nigerians, effective single-entry three-month visa validity.
Nigeria will not accept Venezuelan deportees, including prisoners, due to its own domestic challenges.
The country will continue to engage with the US to resolve issues related to visa policies and tariffs.
