No Room for U.S. Deportees — Nigeria sets firm diplomatic boundary with United States

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has reaffirmed that the country will no longer receive deportees from the United States, stating that the matter is settled and will not be revisited in future talks between both nations.

Tuggar made this known during a fireside conversation at the Reuters Next Gulf Summit held in Abu Dhabi.

“That chapter is closed. We have stated our stance clearly, and it’s no longer open for negotiation. Nigeria will not take back citizens from other countries under any form of compulsion,” he declared.

He explained that the government’s primary focus is on human capital development, job creation, and poverty reduction rather than accommodating deportees from foreign lands.

“With a current population of over 200 million and an expected rise to about 400 million in the next quarter century, our priority is to equip our citizens with skills and ensure a healthy workforce-to-dependent ratio,” the minister added.

Tuggar emphasized that Nigeria continues to enjoy a positive relationship with the United States, stressing that rejecting deportees should not be misinterpreted as hostility but rather as a position of principle and understanding.

He also urged wealthy nations not to view economic relations with Africa as a resource-harvesting venture.

“Some nations approach trade like the video game Minecraft they see oil, gas, and rare minerals, and simply extract and invest where convenient.

That is not the correct approach,” Tuggar said.

“Partnerships must be rooted in mutual respect, shared benefits, and the recognition that Africa’s advancement is essential. Without real development, global challenges such as irregular migration will persist,” he explained.

The minister further noted that NigeriaAfrica’s most populous country and a leading oil producer faces significant domestic issues such as electricity shortages but remains resilient and less affected by U.S. tariffs compared to many other nations.

According to him, Nigeria is broadening its trade network and engaging with multiple partners to strengthen economic growth and stability.