Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, has sparked reactions after sharing his all-time top 10 rap songs while addressing Nigeria’s refusal to accept Venezuelan deportees from the United States.
During an interview with Channels TV on Friday, Tuggar stated that Nigeria would not accept Venezuelan deportees, some of whom are reportedly prisoners.
He cited Nigeria’s existing challenges, including its over 230 million population, as a key reason for the decision.
To drive home his point, the minister quoted a famous rap line from Flavor Flav of Public Enemy which reads: “Flavor Flav has problems of his own / I can’t do nothing for you, man”.
Tuggar humorously likened the lyrics to Nigeria’s stance, saying:
“We have enough problems of our own. We cannot accept Venezuelan deportees. You will be the same people who would criticize us if we do.”
The minister’s rap reference caught the attention of Nigerian author Lola Shoneyin, who jokingly requested his top 10 rap songs of the year.
“Good evening, HM. All the people in my posse are saying you should release a thread of your Top 10 rap songs at the end of the year, plus a one-minute video explaining your picks. Thank you, sir,” Shoneyin wrote.
@YusufTuggar Good evening, HM. All the people in my posse are saying you should release a thread of your Top 10 rap songs at the end of the year, plus a one-minute video explaining your picks. Thank you, sir. 🙌🏽 https://t.co/vVbDcDmnFb
— Lọlá Shónẹ́yìn (@lolashoneyin) July 11, 2025
Rather than waiting till December, Tuggar released his all-time rap playlist, featuring iconic American artistes but notably excluding Nigerian rappers.
Here’s the full list:
1. ‘My Mind is Playing Tricks on Me’ – Ghetto Boys (1991)
2. ‘Paid in Full’ – Eric B & Rakim (1987)
3. ‘Fight the Power’ – Public Enemy (1990)
4. ‘Monie Luv’ – It’s a Shame (1990)
5. ‘The Story of OJ’ – Jay Z (2017)
6. ‘Get Your Freak On’ – Missy Elliot (2001)
7. ‘The Crown’ – Gary Byrd & the GB Experience (1984)
8. ‘It Takes Two’ – Rob Base (1988)
9. ‘Nuthin but a G Thing’ – Snoop & Dre (1992)
10. ‘Do For Luv’ – Tupac (1998)
Ok @lolashoneyin here we go, don’t have to wait till end of the year :
1. My mind is playing tricks on me- Getto Boys
2. Paid in Full- Eric B & Rakim
3. Fight the Power- Public Enemy
5. Monie Luv- It’s a Shame
6. The Story of OJ- Jay Z
7. Get Your Freak On- Missy Elliot.
9.…— Hon. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (@YusufTuggar) July 12, 2025
While some fans praised him for his musical acumen, others were however surprised that none of Nigeria’s rap heavyweights made the cut.
Mid list
No Olamide https://t.co/PxM9rW6HLJ
— ⚪️ (@dijam_ade) July 12, 2025
HM is a real OG. That’s a solid list out there. Generational street cred confirmed 🤝 https://t.co/XWFqQNwJKQ
— Yakubu Adamu (@Its_Yaxxx) July 12, 2025
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