Nigeria has firmly rejected pressure from the Donald Trump administration to accept Venezuelan deportees from the United States, with the Federal Government declaring it will not bow to such demands despite potential economic consequences.
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar made this position clear during a television appearance, explaining that Nigeria’s existing population of 230 million people and domestic challenges make it impossible to accommodate Venezuelan deportees, including those being released directly from American prisons.
“The US is mounting considerable pressure on African countries to accept Venezuelans to be deported from the US, some straight out of prisons,” Tuggar stated during his appearance on Channels Television. “It would be difficult for countries like Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners into Nigeria. We have enough problems of our own; we cannot accept Venezuelan deportees to Nigeria.”
The minister’s comments came following President Bola Tinubu’s participation in the BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 6 to 7, 2025. The summit brought together leaders from the 11-member economic and political bloc, which operates under significant Chinese influence.
On the final day of the summit, US President Donald Trump announced his decision to impose an additional 10 percent trade tariff on what he termed “anti-American” BRICS nations, specifically mentioning China, India, and Nigeria among the targeted countries.
However, Tuggar suggested that the tariff threat might not be directly related to Nigeria’s BRICS participation. “The issue of tariffs may not necessarily have to do with us participating in the BRICS meeting,” he explained, indicating that the deportation pressure could be the underlying cause of deteriorating US-Nigeria relations.
The Tinubu administration has initiated discussions with the United States regarding fresh visa restrictions imposed on Nigerian nationals, according to the Foreign Minister. He also expressed regret over new visa restrictions imposed on Nigerian travelers by the United Arab Emirates.
Nigeria joined BRICS+ as a partner country in January 2025, following an invitation to become part of the expanding bloc. Originally formed in 2006 as an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS was created to challenge the political and economic dominance of wealthier North American and Western European nations.
The bloc, now known as BRICS+, has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates alongside its original members. BRICS+ represents approximately 37 percent of the world’s GDP, accounts for about half the global population, and contributes 40 percent of worldwide economic output.
Nigeria’s refusal to accept Venezuelan deportees highlights the complex diplomatic challenges facing African nations as they navigate relationships with major powers while asserting their sovereignty and protecting their national interests.
