Nigeria Rejects U.S. Push to Accept Venezuelan Deportees – FG

Nigeria will not accept Venezuelan deportees from the United States, Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar has said. Speaking on Channels Television, Tuggar made it clear that the Nigerian government will not allow the country to become a dumping ground for foreign prisoners, stating that “we have enough problems of our own.” He noted that some of the deportees in question were convicted criminals being expelled as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

Tuggar also addressed the recent announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose an additional 10% tariff on BRICS countries, including Nigeria. He downplayed suggestions that the tariffs were directly linked to Nigeria’s attendance at the BRICS Summit in Brazil, saying the decision may not necessarily be connected. President Bola Tinubu participated in the summit alongside other global leaders from July 6 to 7, 2025.

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The minister confirmed that the Tinubu administration is engaging with the United States over newly imposed visa restrictions on Nigerian nationals. While discussions are ongoing with Washington, Tuggar described the recent travel limitations imposed by the United Arab Emirates as “regrettable,” noting that the government is also working to resolve the issue diplomatically.

Nigeria formally joined the expanded BRICS+ bloc in January 2025 as a partner country. The alliance now includes nations like Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, and the UAE, and accounts for around 40% of global economic output. Tuggar reiterated that Nigeria’s international partnerships are rooted in national interest and economic development, not in opposition to any country.