- Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, speaking on Channels TV, described the request as unreasonable, citing Nigeria’s own internal challenges.
- He warned that yielding to such a demand could set a troubling precedent.
Nigeria has rejected U.S. calls to accept deported Venezuelans, many of them alleged ex-prisoners.
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, speaking on Channels TV, described the request as unreasonable, citing Nigeria’s own internal challenges.
“It will be difficult for a country like Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners into Nigeria. We have enough problems of our own. We already have 230 million people. You will be the same people that would castigate us if we acquiesce to accepting Venezuelans from U.S. prisons,” he said.
He warned that yielding to such a demand could set a troubling precedent.
“It would be unfair to insist that Nigeria accepts 300 Venezuelan deportees. Maybe that might just even be the beginning,” he added.
Tuggar’s comments come amid rising tensions over alleged U.S. retaliation for Nigeria’s BRICS involvement. He dismissed claims that Nigeria’s participation led to punitive measures like the 10% tariff imposed during Trump’s administration.
“The issue of tariffs may not necessarily have to do with us participating in BRICS,” Tuggar clarified.
The U.S. now limits Nigerians to single-entry, 3-month visas, sparking backlash. Tuggar said Nigeria’s visa policy isn’t strictly reciprocal but considers intent and risk.
“We are engaging the Americans. We are also reminding them that we issue them five-year multiple entry visas. Not every American is only being given 90-day visas or three months. There are many Americans who have long-term visas,” he said.
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