Nigeria Rejects U.S. Pressure To Accept Venezuelan Deportees

Nigeria has firmly rejected pressure from the United States to accept deported Venezuelan nationals, including some who are former prisoners, as part of a broader plan to manage U.S. immigration challenges by relocating migrants to third-party countries.

Speaking to Channels Television on Thursday from Brazil, where he is attending the BRICS summit, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, dismissed the proposal, saying it was neither practical nor acceptable for Africa’s most populous nation.

“You have to also bear in mind that the U.S. is mounting considerable pressure on African countries to accept Venezuelans to be deported from the U.S., some straight out of prison,” Tuggar said. “It will be difficult for a country like Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners into Nigeria. We have enough problems of our own.”

Nigeria, with a population of over 230 million, is already grappling with domestic challenges, including a strained economy, internal displacement, and rising insecurity, making the proposition unfeasible, according to the minister.
Tuggar’s remarks follow recent efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to accelerate deportations as part of his administration’s broader immigration crackdown. Since returning to office in January, Trump has focused on speeding up the removal of undocumented migrants, particularly when returning them to their home countries is delayed or diplomatically complicated.

This week, President Trump hosted the leaders of five African countries — Liberia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Gabon — at the White House. According to U.S. and Liberian officials cited by Reuters, Trump floated a proposal for these nations to accept migrants from other countries — such as Venezuela — who are being deported by the U.S.

An internal U.S. State Department memo reportedly sent ahead of the meeting urged African countries to agree to the “dignified, safe, and timely transfer from the United States” of these third-country nationals. The Wall Street Journal reported the document was part of a quiet diplomatic push to get African governments on board with the plan.
The White House has not responded to requests for comment on the details or scope of the initiative.

Tuggar’s firm rejection signals Nigeria’s unwillingness to be drawn into an arrangement that may strain its already stretched resources and raise human rights concerns. Analysts say such proposals could set a dangerous precedent and worsen international tensions around migration management.
Diplomatic observers note that while the U.S. has previously used third-country resettlement for refugees and asylum seekers under coordinated programs, relocating deportees — especially prisoners — without clear legal frameworks or bilateral agreements is bound to trigger diplomatic resistance.

For now, Nigeria joins a growing list of countries pushing back against external immigration pressures, emphasizing sovereignty, national security, and internal stability as key priorities in diplomatic engagements