By Peter Omopo
September 12, 2025 | By Gift Habib – The Federal Government has said it has not been formally notified of any deportation of Nigerians from the United States to Ghana, despite reports suggesting otherwise.
This comes after Ghanaian President John Mahama confirmed on Wednesday that Accra had received a group of 14 deportees from the US, including Nigerians, Gambians, and other West Africans. The deportees are reportedly being facilitated for onward travel to their home countries.
According to Reuters, Mahama explained that Ghana agreed to the arrangement because nationals of West African countries do not require visas to enter Ghana.
“We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from the US, and we agreed with them that West African nationals were acceptable because all our fellow West Africans don’t need a visa to come to our country,” Mahama was quoted as saying.
However, the Nigerian government insisted it has not received official communication on the matter.
“We have yet to be informed officially,” Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told The PUNCH on Thursday.
Nigeria has previously opposed the United States’ controversial “third-country deportation” policy, under which deportees may be sent to countries other than their own. Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar had in July criticised the policy, warning it could unfairly burden African nations already facing internal challenges.
Diplomatic experts have cautioned that while Ghana’s decision falls within its sovereign rights, it may strain relations with Nigeria if not managed carefully. Retired Ambassador Rasheed Akinkuolie noted, “What Ghana will do with the deportees is left for the country to sort out,” while Ambassador Mohammed Mabdul warned that deportation issues must be handled “carefully to avoid reigniting tensions” between both countries.
The development comes amid growing pressure from Washington, which has threatened visa sanctions against countries unwilling to cooperate with its deportation plans. Earlier this year, the US revised its visa policy for Nigerian nationals, restricting most applicants to single-entry, three-month visas, while also mandating the disclosure of five years’ worth of social media history.
The situation remains fluid, with Abuja awaiting official clarification from both Washington and Accra.
