By Stephen | July 11, 2025 | Abuja, Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria has firmly rejected diplomatic pressure from the United States to accept deported Venezuelan migrants, with Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar declaring that the country “won’t bow” to external demands amid its own internal socio-economic challenges.
At a press briefing held Tuesday in Abuja, Tuggar responded to reports that the Trump administration was seeking to offload hundreds of undocumented Venezuelan nationals currently in U.S. detention centers by redirecting them to African nations, including Nigeria.
“Nigeria is not a dumping ground for deportees, especially from countries with which we have no bilateral deportation agreements,” Tuggar stated. “We are facing our own national priorities, including youth unemployment, insecurity, and economic recovery. We won’t bow to political pressure.”
The U.S. policy, reportedly part of a broader shift in immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s second term, aims to reduce overcrowding in detention centers and accelerate removals. However, the approach has drawn criticism from several international human rights organizations, accusing the U.S. of bypassing due process and targeting vulnerable asylum seekers.
According to sources within Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, American officials recently proposed a controversial plan that would see Venezuela-born deportees labeled as “stateless” and relocated to African countries under a vague repatriation agreement. Nigeria was among the countries approached—but officials swiftly declined.
The Nigerian public has largely backed the government’s stance, with many citizens voicing concerns online about the potential strain on national infrastructure and security. Analysts also note the political risk of being seen as complicit in questionable U.S. immigration tactics.
“This move by the U.S. undermines global cooperation on refugee and migration issues,” said Professor Amaka Onuoha, a specialist in African foreign policy. “Nigeria must continue to defend its sovereignty and humanitarian principles.”
The diplomatic tension comes amid broader friction between Washington and several African governments over immigration, visa restrictions, and trade policy under the revived "America First" doctrine.
As the situation unfolds, Nigeria says it will continue to work with international partners on legal migration frameworks—but will not entertain pressure tactics that threaten national stability.