Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria has staunchly rebuffed sustained pressure from the United States to accept Venezuelan deportees, including individuals recently released from prison, citing its own considerable internal challenges and burgeoning population.
Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, articulated the nation’s principled stand during a recent “One-on-One” interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today.” He revealed that Washington is actively pressuring various African countries to serve as destinations for Venezuelan migrants being deported from the US.
“The US is mounting considerable pressure on African countries to accept Venezuelans to be deported from the US, some straight out of prison,” Tuggar stated.
However, the Minister made it unequivocally clear that such a proposition would be untenable for Nigeria. He emphasized the country’s existing socio-economic complexities and the potential for severe public backlash should the government acquiesce to the request.
“It will be difficult for a country like Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners into Nigeria. We have enough problems of our own,” Tuggar asserted, highlighting the strain such an influx would place on Nigeria’s resources and security infrastructure.
He further underscored the demographic reality of the West African nation, which is already grappling with a population of over 230 million people. “We cannot accept Venezuelan deportees to Nigeria, for crying out loud. We already have 230 million people. You will be the same people that would castigate us if we acquiesce to accepting Venezuelans from US prisons to be brought in,” he cautioned, alluding to inevitable public criticism.
In a separate but related diplomatic observation during the interview, Minister Tuggar also clarified that the fresh 10 per cent tariffs recently imposed on Nigeria by the administration of former US President Donald Trump may not necessarily be linked to President Bola Tinubu’s engagement with the BRICS nations.
Tuggar’s comments powerfully encapsulate Nigeria’s commitment to prioritizing its internal stability and welfare, signaling a clear message that its foreign policy decisions will be anchored in its national interests and the well-being of its citizens. The rejection underscores a growing assertiveness by African nations in their dealings with global powers, particularly when demands are perceived as detrimental to domestic peace and development.
