A viral TikTok video has claimed that Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has started deporting 700 US citizens in retaliation for former US President Donald Trump’s alleged deportation of hundreds of Nigerians.
The video, which has amassed over 3.2 million views, 159,600 likes, 20,100 shares, and 23,900 comments, also claims Tinubu has banned US-made phones, including iPhones.
However, there is no credible evidence to support this claim.
No official statement has been issued by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Immigration Service, or the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission confirming any such deportation order.
While Nigeria is preparing for the possible deportation of its citizens from the US due to Trump’s immigration policies, this has no bearing on American citizens living in Nigeria.
As of January 2025, the US government has identified 3,690 Nigerians among 1.4 million people facing deportation orders. These individuals are in the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) non-detained docket, meaning they have been ordered to leave but are not in ICE custody.
Additionally, 1,454 Nigerians are currently in ICE detention, many for immigration violations such as visa overstays.
In response to the potential deportations, the Nigerian government has established an inter-agency committee, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
However, no Nigerians are currently being processed for deportation from the US.
The claim about Tinubu’s deportation of 700 US citizens appears to have surfaced amid discussions on Trump’s immigration policies.
Trump has vowed to launch the “largest deportation operation” in US history if re-elected, but his first-term record shows that his administration deported fewer people than his predecessors.
Despite this, his approach was seen as more aggressive, targeting a wider range of migrants, including those without criminal records.
Based on available evidence, the claim that Nigeria has begun deporting 700 US citizens is false.
