The recent U.S. visa clampdown on Nigerian citizens has been tied to Donald Trump’s push to deport asylum seekers, especially Venezuelan ex-prisoners, NaijNaira can report.
Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar revealed on Channels Television that Washington had pressured Nigeria and other African nations to accept deportees—many with criminal records.
According to Channels TV, Tuggar said, “It will be difficult for a country like Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners… We have enough problems of our own.”
He rejected claims from the U.S. embassy that the three-month, single-entry visa for Nigerians was about reciprocity. “The claim of reciprocity is false,” he said.
Tuggar explained that Nigeria gives Americans five-year multiple-entry visas and only switched to electronic systems for efficiency.
U.S. officials reportedly also requested e-visa access for their citizens without visiting embassies, but Nigeria declined due to unequal treatment.
Sources say Trump’s team demanded countries like Nigeria hold asylum seekers for years during immigration processing.
Tuggar warned accepting such terms could set a dangerous precedent.
Observers link the visa policy, tariffs, and deportation efforts to Trump’s wider pressure tactics aimed at securing diplomatic leverage.
Countries like Rwanda and Panama reportedly complied with similar deals, while Nigeria stood firm.
Article updated 4 days ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
