Nigeria has firmly rejected pressure from the Trump administration to accept deportees from Venezuela, including some with criminal records. Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar made the country’s position clear in a recent interview, even quoting U.S. rap group Public Enemy: “I can’t do nothin’ for you, man.”
“We already have over 230 million people,” Tuggar said. “We can’t take on Venezuela’s problems too.”
The U.S. has threatened to impose visa restrictions and tariffs on countries that don’t comply with its deportation policies. Nigeria has already been hit — most U.S. visas for Nigerians are now single-entry and valid for just three months.
While Nigeria recently joined the Brics economic alliance as a partner, Tuggar insists the real issue isn’t geopolitics it’s Washington pushing African nations to accept migrants others won’t.
Despite the tension, Nigeria says it still wants strong economic ties with the U.S., especially in sectors like gas and minerals.
“We’re open to deals,” Tuggar said. “But we won’t be pressured.”
