Nigeria refuses U.S. demand to take in deported Venezuelans
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Nigeria has unequivocally rejected requests from the United States to accept deported Venezuelan nationals, including individuals who are reported to be former prisoners, citing national security and sovereignty concerns.

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, articulated Nigeria’s firm position during a detailed interview on Politics Today, which aired on Channels Television on Friday evening.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar

In his remarks, Tuggar strongly criticized the U.S. approach, describing the demand as unreasonable and insensitive to the current realities Nigeria faces domestically.

“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 stated.

He further warned that succumbing to such external pressure could establish a dangerous diplomatic and humanitarian precedent for Nigeria and other developing nations.

“It would be unfair to insist that Nigeria accepts 300 Venezuelan deportees. Maybe that might just even be the beginning. We must protect our country and our interests first,” Tuggar emphasized, highlighting the need for self-preservation and prioritizing domestic stability.

These comments come amidst rising diplomatic tensions and speculations regarding possible U.S. reprisals following Nigeria’s recent involvement in the BRICS summit. However, Tuggar dismissed assertions that Nigeria’s participation directly influenced punitive trade decisions, including the 10% tariff imposed on Nigerian goods during the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

“The issue of tariffs may not necessarily have to do with us participating in BRICS,” Tuggar clarified, underscoring that trade and diplomatic relations are shaped by a multitude of factors beyond such affiliations.

Complicating matters further, the U.S. recently implemented a new visa policy that restricts Nigerian travelers to a single-entry visa valid for just three months. The move has triggered widespread criticism in Nigeria, with many accusing Washington of discriminatory and unequal treatment, particularly since Nigeria continues to grant Americans five-year multiple-entry visas.

Addressing this issue, Tuggar explained that Nigeria’s visa policy is not strictly reciprocal but considers various elements, including applicants’ intentions and risk profiles.

“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, emphasizing ongoing diplomatic engagements aimed at resolving the disparity.

He also highlighted significant improvements recently introduced to Nigeria’s visa system, such as digitalized applications, streamlined visa-on-arrival processes, and other measures designed to enhance the experience for international travelers and strengthen bilateral ties.

Watch the video below …