Nigeria's Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, has announced that the country cannot accept deportees from the US, including Venezuelans and prisoners, highlighting the nation's own pressing issues and population challenges.
Nigeria Rejects US Deportee Pressure Amidst Domestic Challenges
Nigeria Rejects US Deportee Pressure Amidst Domestic Challenges
Nigeria's Foreign Minister firmly declines the US request for deportees, citing national issues and population density.
Nigeria's Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, has asserted that the country cannot agree to accept deportees or prisoners from the United States, particularly Venezuelans, due to its significant domestic challenges and growing population, which currently exceeds 230 million. Tuggar referenced a line from the iconic rap group Public Enemy, asserting, “Flava Flav has problems of his own. I can't do nothin' for you, man,” in an interview with Channels TV to emphasize Nigeria's own burdens.
His comments came in response to U.S. threats regarding visa restrictions and potential tariff increases on countries that refuse to comply with its deportation policies. Tuggar suggested that it would be unjust for Nigeria to take on an additional 300 Venezuelan deportees, arguing that recent U.S. visa limitations imposed on Nigerian citizens were not reciprocal but merely a coercive strategy.
The U.S. Department of State stated that they are undergoing a “global reciprocity realignment,” affecting numerous non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas for Nigerians, Cameroonians, and Ethiopians by converting them to single-entry visas valid for just three months. Additionally, President Donald Trump has indicated that countries siding with the Brics alliance against U.S. interests could see an uptick of up to 10% in tariffs.
While Nigeria is not a full member of the Brics group of nations, it has engaged as a partner country since January and continues to navigate its diplomatic relationships carefully. Tuggar also clarified that the increased tariffs and pressures do not arise directly from Nigeria's association with Brics, emphasizing that the U.S. is particularly pressuring African nations to accept Venezuelan deportees, some of whom may have recent prison backgrounds.
As Tuggar concluded, Nigeria needs to forge beneficial partnerships with the U.S. rather than take on additional burdens. He underscored the country's rich natural resources, including gas and rare earth elements sought by American companies, suggesting that cooperative agreements could be more advantageous for both parties.
The situation arises against the backdrop of a broader U.S. initiative targeting several West African nations, including Liberia, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau, to accept migrants facing deportation from the U.S., a move criticized as intertwining with U.S. foreign policy goals. Despite this pressure, Tuggar's declarations reflect Nigeria's determination to focus on its internal challenges rather than becoming a transit ground for foreign deportees.
His comments came in response to U.S. threats regarding visa restrictions and potential tariff increases on countries that refuse to comply with its deportation policies. Tuggar suggested that it would be unjust for Nigeria to take on an additional 300 Venezuelan deportees, arguing that recent U.S. visa limitations imposed on Nigerian citizens were not reciprocal but merely a coercive strategy.
The U.S. Department of State stated that they are undergoing a “global reciprocity realignment,” affecting numerous non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas for Nigerians, Cameroonians, and Ethiopians by converting them to single-entry visas valid for just three months. Additionally, President Donald Trump has indicated that countries siding with the Brics alliance against U.S. interests could see an uptick of up to 10% in tariffs.
While Nigeria is not a full member of the Brics group of nations, it has engaged as a partner country since January and continues to navigate its diplomatic relationships carefully. Tuggar also clarified that the increased tariffs and pressures do not arise directly from Nigeria's association with Brics, emphasizing that the U.S. is particularly pressuring African nations to accept Venezuelan deportees, some of whom may have recent prison backgrounds.
As Tuggar concluded, Nigeria needs to forge beneficial partnerships with the U.S. rather than take on additional burdens. He underscored the country's rich natural resources, including gas and rare earth elements sought by American companies, suggesting that cooperative agreements could be more advantageous for both parties.
The situation arises against the backdrop of a broader U.S. initiative targeting several West African nations, including Liberia, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau, to accept migrants facing deportation from the U.S., a move criticized as intertwining with U.S. foreign policy goals. Despite this pressure, Tuggar's declarations reflect Nigeria's determination to focus on its internal challenges rather than becoming a transit ground for foreign deportees.
