Nigeria Refuses U.S. Deportees: ‘We Have Our Own Challenges to Address’

LAGOS, Nigeria — The Nigerian government is standing firm against pressures from the Trump administration to accept deportees from countries like Venezuela. Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar shared this stance during a recent interview with Channels TV. He noted that the U.S. is pushing several African nations to take in individuals they wish to deport.

“We already have over 230 million people,” Tuggar said. He humorously quoted the U.S. rap group Public Enemy, emphasizing Nigeria’s own needs: “Flava Flav has problems of his own. I can’t do nothing for you, man.”

This response marks a notable rejection of U.S. efforts to deport migrants. The Trump administration suggested imposing tariffs and visa restrictions on countries that refuse to comply. However, the U.S. has not officially confirmed its attempts to persuade African nations to accept these deportees.

Recently, the U.S. sent eight men to South Sudan. These individuals were initially moved from the U.S. to a military base in Djibouti before their transfer, a process that received clearance from the Supreme Court.

Moreover, rumors suggest that the U.S. has reached out to other African countries, such as Rwanda, Benin, and Libya, to discuss similar arrangements. Interestingly, Rwanda’s Foreign Minister previously indicated that his government was in early discussions with the U.S. about this issue. However, Libya’s leaders have publicly denied such agreements.NPR

This week, the U.S. also implemented strict visa restrictions for Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Cameroon, valid now only for three months and for a single entry. This policy has led to criticisms in Nigeria. Officials argue that the visa changes are linked to the U.S. migration demands rather than being reciprocal.

Tuggar firmly stated, “It will be difficult for Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners. We have enough problems of our own.” He insisted that Nigeria would negotiate for economic partnerships in oil and minerals but would not compromise its sovereignty.

In light of these developments, it’s clear that Nigeria is standing up for its interests in the face of international pressure. Tuggar’s comments resonate widely, reflecting a growing sentiment in Africa about preserving national integrity while navigating complex diplomatic relationships.

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