Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar has firmly stated that the country will not accept Venezuelan deportees from the United States, citing the nation’s own challenges and large population of over 230 million people.
Tuggar emphasized that accepting Venezuelan prisoners would be unfair and potentially set a precedent for further demands.
The US has been pressuring African countries, including Nigeria, to accept deported Venezuelans, some of whom are ex-prisoners.
Nigeria is currently engaged in discussions with the US to resolve differences, particularly regarding recent visa restrictions imposed on Nigerian nationals.
Tuggar noted that Nigeria is looking to collaborate with the US due to the country’s rich resources, including gas, critical minerals, and rare earths needed by American tech companies.