Nigeria has rejected pressure from the United States government to accept Venezuelan deportees, insisting it won’t act as a holding ground for foreign prisoners, NaijNaira can report.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, clarified that the country is already dealing with pressing domestic issues. He dismissed Washington’s efforts to push undocumented Venezuelan migrants—some reportedly convicted—onto African nations, especially Nigeria.
According to Tribune Online, this development follows President Bola Tinubu’s presence at the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro between July 6 and 7, where world leaders discussed global economic strategies.
Reacting to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 10% tariff on nations he called “anti-American,” including Nigeria, Tuggar downplayed the connection to Nigeria’s BRICS involvement.
“The issue of tariffs may not necessarily have to do with us participating in the BRICS meeting,” he said.
Tuggar added, “It would be difficult for countries like Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners into Nigeria. We already have 230 million people.”
The minister also confirmed discussions with U.S. authorities over new visa restrictions targeting Nigerian nationals, while calling the recent travel ban by the UAE “regrettable.”
Article updated 23 hours ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
