The Federal Government has firmly turned down a proposal from the United States to accept deported foreign nationals — including Venezuelan prisoners — describing the request as both unrealistic and contrary to Nigeria’s national interest.
Speaking to Vanguard, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the decision followed a thorough assessment of its potential socio-economic and security implications.
“Even if other African countries are accepting deportees from the U.S., Nigeria will not. We are a sovereign nation, and we take decisions only after fully analysing the implications to our national security,” Ebienfa stated.
While countries such as Rwanda, Eswatini, and South Sudan have agreed to cooperate with Washington, Nigeria insists it will not bow to pressure.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, earlier revealed that the Trump administration had mounted pressure on African nations to accept deportees, including prisoners, under its controversial “third-country deportation” policy.
“It will be difficult for countries like Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners. We already have 230 million people and enough problems of our own,” Tuggar said, describing the proposal as “unacceptable.”
The diplomatic friction has had visible consequences. In June, the U.S. Department of State cut most non-immigrant, non-diplomatic visas for Nigerians to single-entry permits valid for only three months — a significant departure from the long-standing reciprocity framework between both countries.
Analysts say the move underscores Washington’s push to align immigration and security measures with its foreign policy objectives — even if that means tightening the screws on countries unwilling to play along.
