Nigeria won’t accept Venezuelan deportees from U.S. prison, says Tuggar

By Kunle Sanni –

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has stated that Nigeria will not succumb to pressure from the United States to accept Venezuelan deportees, some of whom are reportedly ex-convicts.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Tuggar said Nigeria is grappling with its own challenges and cannot be a destination for migrants deported from U.S. prisons.

“We have enough problems of our own. We cannot accept Venezuelan deportees to Nigeria,” he said. “We already have 230 million people. It would be difficult for countries like Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners into Nigeria.”

The development follows President Bola Tinubu’s participation in the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 6 to 7, 2025. On the summit’s final day, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new 10 percent trade tariff targeting BRICS nations, including Nigeria, China, and India, labeling them “anti-American.”

Tuggar dismissed any direct link between the tariff hike and Nigeria’s involvement in BRICS, suggesting that broader geopolitical issues were behind the U.S. stance.

“The issue of tariffs may not necessarily have to do with us participating in the BRICS meeting,” he said.

He revealed that the U.S. is increasing pressure on African nations to receive Venezuelan deportees, including those recently released from prisons.

Tuggar reiterated Nigeria’s position, saying the country will prioritize its domestic concerns and national interest over external demands.