The Nigerian Federal Government has firmly rejected U.S. pressure to accept Venezuelan deportees, a stance reiterated by Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on July 10, 2025, during a briefing in Abuja.
The decision stems from ongoing diplomatic tensions, with the U.S. seeking to deport approximately 300 Nigerian nationals of Venezuelan descent who entered the country illegally, many of whom were born to Nigerian parents in Venezuela during economic migrations in the 1980s and 1990s. The FG argues that these individuals hold Nigerian citizenship, complicating repatriation efforts.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized Nigeria’s sovereignty, stating that the country will not be coerced into accepting individuals without proper documentation or dual nationality verification, a process the U.S. has delayed. The minister cited a 2024 agreement limiting deportations to documented citizens, which the U.S. has allegedly breached.
Human rights groups have criticized both nations, noting the deportees’ plight, with many facing detention in Texas. The Nigerian diaspora in the U.S., numbering over 400,000, has urged dialogue, while the FG plans to engage the International Organization for Migration. The standoff highlights broader immigration disputes, with no resolution in sight as of July 11.