Foreign Minister Tuggar says Nigeria will not accept deportees from America
Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria will not accept Venezuelan deportees from the United States, Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said this week. The minister rejected reports of US pressure during a Channels TV Politics Today interview.
Nigeria’s Position on Deportees
Tuggar said Nigeria will not take Venezuelan deportees from America, including those with reported African ancestry. He made the statement during the television interview on Channels TV.
“It would be difficult for countries like Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners into Nigeria,” Tuggar said. The minister’s comments address reports that Washington sought countries to accept Venezuelan deportees.
Nigeria’s immigration policy operates without external pressure from foreign governments. The country makes its own decisions about accepting or rejecting deportees from other nations.
Population and Resource Factors
Nigeria cited its large population as a reason for rejecting the deportees. Tuggar said the country has 230 million people and faces existing challenges.
“We have enough problems of our own; we cannot accept Venezuelan deportees to Nigeria. We already have 230 million people,” Tuggar said.
Nigeria ranks as the sixth most populous country globally. The minister said the country must address domestic issues before considering international deportee arrangements.
The statement shows Nigeria prioritizes solving its own population and infrastructure challenges rather than accepting additional people through deportation agreements.
Electronic Visa System
Nigeria changed its visa system from visa-on-arrival to electronic processing. Tuggar explained how the government replaced the old system to improve efficiency for legitimate travelers.
“We used to have visa on arrival that wasn’t running efficiently. We introduced these online electronic visas that you can apply for so that it saves you time,” Tuggar said.
The electronic system allows people to apply for visas before traveling. This eliminates delays that occurred when people applied after arriving in Nigeria.
Travelers can complete applications online using computers or mobile devices. The system processes applications faster while maintaining security checks.
Visitor Welcome Policy
Nigeria maintains an open policy for genuine visitors despite rejecting deportees. Tuggar said the country offers different visa categories for tourists, business travelers, and long-term visitors.
“The same way I am talking to you on my laptop I can just simply apply for a Nigerian visa and you get it and then you fly and so it makes it easier,” the minister said.
Nigeria provides tourist visas for first-time travelers and longer-term permits for frequent visitors. The country regularly issues visas to Americans seeking to visit for legitimate purposes.
“We give Americans and loads of Americans these long-term visas,” Tuggar said. The minister clarified that Nigeria does not restrict American citizens from visiting the country.
By Abiodun Labi
