Nigeria Rejects U.S. Deportees as South Sudan welcomes them

Nigeria has drawn international attention after refusing a U.S. request to accept deported Venezuelans, a move that contrasts sharply with South Sudan’s recent cooperation. The U.S. has been pressing several African countries to take in Venezuelan deportees, including former inmates, but Nigeria has stood firm in its position.

Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar confirmed on July 11, 2025, that the U.S. has been urging African countries to accept Venezuelan deportees even those recently released from U.S. prisons.

Nigeria strongly rebuffed this request, citing its own internal challenges and a population of over 230 million.

He stated bluntly: “It will be difficult for a country like Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners into Nigeria… we have enough problems of our own”

The refusal follows Nigeria’s attendance at the BRICS+ summit in Brazil (July 6–7), after which President Trump slapped a 10% tariff on imports from BRICS+ nations.

Tuggar hinted that the deportee issue could be another layer of U.S. leverage not merely related to tariffs or visa policy.

A contrasting situation occurred in South Sudan, which accepted eight deportees (including seven Venezuelans and one South Sudanese) arriving at Juba International Airport on July 5