Nigeria Reaffirms Stance Against Receiving U.S. Deportees, Distances Itself From Other African Countries’ Decisions
The Nigerian Federal Government has reiterated its firm refusal to accept deportees from the United States, maintaining a clear distance from recent moves by nations such as Rwanda, Eswatini, and South Sudan, which have agreed to receive foreign nationals expelled by U.S. immigration authorities. This reaffirmation underscores Nigeria’s growing emphasis on national sovereignty, security, and economic interests in shaping its foreign policy.
In a statement provided, Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that Nigeria’s position remains unchanged despite increasing international pressure. He emphasized that any decision on deportees must take into consideration the country’s internal challenges and broader national interests.
“Our government continues to uphold the position that Nigeria will not be a dumping ground for foreign deportees, particularly those not of Nigerian origin,” Ebienfa said.
Nigeria’s National Interest against Trump Deportation Deal
Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar recently revealed that under former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, African nations have been facing growing diplomatic pressure to accept deported individuals—some of whom are non-citizens and have criminal backgrounds. He pointed out that the U.S. government has intensified efforts under its controversial “third-country deportation” policy, attempting to relocate individuals from countries such as Venezuela to unrelated African nations
“We’re being asked to take in Venezuelan prisoners directly from American prisons. That’s simply unacceptable,” Tuggar remarked. “Nigeria cannot afford to carry the burden of other nations’ convicts, especially given our already stretched resources and population size.”
Highlighting the challenges Nigeria currently faces, including a population exceeding 230 million, economic instability, and ongoing security threats, Tuggar stressed that the country cannot accept deportees who have no links to Nigeria.
Trump Deportation Deal and Its Impact on Africa
The U.S. government, under its revived third-country deportation framework, has recently expanded this policy into Africa following a favorable U.S. Supreme Court decision in June 2025. This ruling legally sanctioned the deportation of individuals to countries that are not their countries of origin, particularly when their home nations refuse to receive them.
As part of this strategy, countries such as South Sudan, Eswatini, and Rwanda have entered into agreements with the U.S. government to accept deportees from various countries. Reports indicate that South Sudan has already received eight individuals convicted of violent crimes, while Eswatini has accepted five people from nations including Vietnam, Jamaica, and Cuba. Rwanda, in a more controlled arrangement, has agreed to accept up to 250 deportees, reserving the right to review each case individually.
Yolande Makolo, a spokesperson for the Rwandan government, confirmed the deal, noting that the migrants will receive workforce training, healthcare, and housing support upon arrival to aid their integration into Rwanda’s economy.
Visa Restrictions as Leverage
In an attempt to enforce compliance, the Trump administration implemented stringent visa measures, targeting countries perceived to be obstructing U.S. deportation efforts. Nigeria was among those affected. In June 2025, the U.S. Department of State revised visa rules for Nigerian nationals, limiting most non-diplomatic, non-immigrant visas to a single three-month entry. This marked a major departure from previous visa reciprocity arrangements and reflected the U.S.’s broader efforts to enforce immigration policies through diplomatic leverage.
Further intensifying the pressure, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement in April 2025 threatening to revoke visas held by South Sudanese citizens and to block future visa issuances. This came after South Sudan initially resisted U.S. efforts to deport its nationals.
“Effective immediately, all existing visas held by South Sudanese nationals will be revoked,” Rubio declared in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Further visa issuances will be suspended unless the government fulfills its obligation to accept deported citizens.”
Nigeria’s Firm Position
Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry has made it clear that despite other African nations cooperating with the U.S., Nigeria’s priorities remain distinctly different. Ebienfa reiterated that Nigeria is under no obligation to align with decisions made by other sovereign states.
“While other African countries may have decided to comply with U.S. deportation demands, Nigeria will not,” he emphasized. “We must fully assess any international proposal through the lens of our national security and socioeconomic realities.”
He noted that Nigeria is currently preoccupied with its own set of challenges, including internal displacement, insurgency, unemployment, and infrastructure deficits. “Adding foreign deportees, particularly those with unknown identities or criminal histories, would only exacerbate our existing problems,” he said.
Ebienfa also highlighted Nigeria’s increasing value in global strategic partnerships, citing ongoing projects like the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline and the country’s rare earth mineral reserves. He stressed that these international collaborations reflect Nigeria’s global relevance and reinforce its right to make independent decisions that safeguard national interests.
Diplomatic Reactions to Trump’ Deportation Deal
Former Nigerian diplomat Ambassador Ogbole Amedu-Ode openly questioned the logic behind the U.S.’s attempt to relocate individuals to countries with which they have no connection.
“Why deport Venezuelans or Jamaicans to Nigeria? The logic defies international norms and the principle of sovereignty,” he said, applauding the Nigerian government for responding to the U.S. with dignity.
Amedu-Ode also sarcastically suggested that if reciprocity were truly being considered, perhaps Nigeria could offer to exchange Boko Haram operatives for Venezuelan prisoners, highlighting the absurdity of the policy.
Similarly, Ambassador Rasheed Akinkuolie stressed that while every nation has the right to shape its immigration policies, Nigeria cannot accept individuals of foreign origin without verifiable background checks.
“We are open to receiving Nigerian nationals who meet immigration criteria,” Akinkuolie stated. “But we cannot take in people with unclear identities—especially if they pose a potential security risk.”
He referenced a recent case where foreigners illegally entered Nigeria and later formed a criminal gang, warning that such incidents justify Nigeria’s cautious approach. He concluded by acknowledging that while the U.S. might be acting in line with its own national interests, Nigeria must do the same.
