The Federal Government has firmly rejected a reported move by the United States to pressure Nigeria and other African nations into accepting deported Venezuelans many of whom are ex-convicts.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, made the position clear during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, stating that Nigeria would not take in prisoners from another country.
“It will be difficult for a country like Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners. We already have enough problems of our own,” Tuggar said.
“We cannot accept Venezuelan deportees to Nigeria, for crying out loud. We already have 230 million people.”
The minister warned that yielding to such demands could set a dangerous precedent, saying:
“I think it would be unfair to insist that Nigeria accepts 300 Venezuelan deportees. That might just be the beginning.”
The minister also responded to the U.S. Embassy’s decision to reduce visa validity for Nigerians to single-entry, three months, saying Nigeria continues to engage with American authorities on the issue.
“We issue Americans five-year multiple-entry visas. So we’re reminding them that it should be mutual,” Tuggar said.
He explained that Nigeria’s new electronic visa system was introduced to improve processing efficiency and reduce delays associated with visa-on-arrival procedures.
“Our visa categories vary depending on the traveller. Many Americans still get long-term visas. It’s not a blanket three-month rule,” he added.
