Despite identifying approximately 3,690 Nigerians for deportation under its immigration policies, the United States government has yet to formally notify Nigerian authorities, officials have confirmed.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that they have not received official communication regarding the exact number of deportees or the timeline for their return.
Acting spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, noted that preparations would commence once the necessary details are provided.
“For now, there’s no information in that regard. There’s no confirmation of the number or a specific date,” Ebienfa told Premium Times.
The deportation plan is part of former US President Donald Trump’s policy of removing undocumented migrants. Since assuming office, his administration had issued several executive orders to enforce immigration laws, leading to the deportation of over 37,000 individuals to countries such as Honduras, Ecuador, and India. However, there have been no reported deportations to Nigeria or most African nations.
Reports indicate that Nigeria ranks second in Africa in terms of deportation targets, following Somalia, which has 4,090 individuals listed for removal. US authorities have outlined that the first set of Nigerian deportees, numbering 85, will include individuals convicted of crimes in the US.
US envoy Richard Miller recently confirmed that those set for repatriation would arrive in Lagos, without options for alternative destinations like Abuja or Port Harcourt. He explained that the initial batch would consist of prisoners and individuals who violated US immigration laws.
However, Ebienfa clarified that neither the Nigerian government nor its mission in Washington has been officially informed about the deportation schedule.
“The actual movement of the flight has not been concluded. When they are ready, they will inform us or our mission in Washington, who will notify us,” he said.
He emphasized that diplomatic protocols require the US to officially communicate with Nigeria before any deportations take place, ensuring proper coordination and preparation.
