Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, asserted the nation’s inability to accept deportees from the U.S., emphasizing that Nigeria is already facing significant internal issues. Tuggar pointed out the absurdity of such demands while reiterating Nigeria's diplomatic efforts with the U.S. for cooperation in other areas.
Nigeria Rejects U.S. Deportation Pressure, Citing Internal Challenges
Nigeria Rejects U.S. Deportation Pressure, Citing Internal Challenges
Nigerian Foreign Minister expresses strong refusal to accept deportees from the U.S., highlighting the country's existing challenges and pressures from Washington.
Nigeria's Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, has firmly rejected pressure from the United States to accept Venezuelan deportees or prisoners, emphasizing the nation's own pressing issues. During an interview with Channels TV, Tuggar referenced the iconic 1990s rap group Public Enemy, specifically a line from Flava Flav, to illustrate Nigeria's stance: "Flava Flav has problems of his own. I can't do nothin' for you, man."
"Our population exceeds 230 million,” he stated, illustrating the challenges Nigeria faces. Tuggar's comments come in response to threats from Washington regarding visa restrictions and tariffs on nations that do not comply with its deportation policies. He highlighted the unfairness of demanding Nigeria to accommodate 300 Venezuelan deportees while suggesting that the U.S. had used visa curbs to apply pressure.
Recently, the U.S. Department of State announced a change in visa policies affecting Nigeria and other countries, resulting in nearly all non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas becoming single-entry and valid for only three months. President Trump's administration has indicated intentions to penalize countries that ally with the Brics alliance, which seeks to challenge Western power dynamics.
While Nigeria is not a full member of the Brics group, it joined as a partner nation earlier this year, complicating the diplomatic landscape. Tuggar clarified that tariffs imposed by the U.S. do not inherently correlate with Nigeria’s relationship with Brics but emphasize a broader pressure to accept deported individuals.
He expressed the difficulty of accepting Venezuelan prisoners, stating, "We have enough problems of our own," underscoring Nigeria's position against accepting these individuals amidst its internal challenges. Interestingly, Nigeria is seeking economic deals with the U.S., particularly due to its wealth in gas and essential minerals, rather than focusing on deportation issues.
Discussions with the U.S. continue as Nigeria navigates its foreign policy and seeks mutual benefits. Diplomatic sources have indicated that other countries, including Liberia and Senegal, are also facing pressure from the U.S. regarding the acceptance of deportees, showcasing a coordinated effort from the Trump administration to manage immigration policies in alignment with foreign relations.
