The Presidency has dismissed reports surrounding the migration agreement signed during President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to the United Kingdom, describing them as misleading.
Under the agreement, the UK will return individuals who have no legal right to remain in the country, including failed asylum seekers and foreign national offenders.
A major provision in the deal allows Nigeria, for the first time, to accept alternative identification documents—known as “UK letters”—for individuals without valid passports. This is expected to eliminate bureaucratic delays that previously slowed down deportation processes.
According to UK data, about 961 Nigerians have exhausted their asylum appeal rights, while an additional 1,110 Nigerian offenders are currently awaiting deportation.
The Presidency stressed that the agreement applies strictly to Nigerian citizens without legal status in the UK and does not include non-Nigerians.
Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, clarified this in a post on X, a day after the UK Home Office announced the deal.
“For clarity, the agreement signed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of Nigeria, and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, on behalf of the UK government, relates only to Nigerians who do not have legal status to live and remain in the UK,” Ajayi said.
He emphasized that Nigeria would not accept non-Nigerian nationals under the arrangement, adding that the UK is not compelling the country to take in individuals who are not its citizens.
“This clarification becomes necessary because of those who have already revved up their misinformation machinery,” he added.
The Ministry of Interior also assured that all returnees would be treated with dignity, retain their rights under Nigerian law, and remain eligible to re-enter the UK in the future if they meet immigration requirements.
According to the ministry, the framework outlines procedures for the safe and dignified return and reintegration of Nigerians without legal status in the UK. These include secure travel documentation, case-by-case identity verification, and safeguards for vulnerable individuals, including potential victims of trafficking.
The agreement further establishes areas of cooperation between both countries, such as information sharing, capacity building, training, and joint research on migration management and border security.
The deal was signed by Tunji-Ojo for Nigeria and Mahmood for the UK government during President Tinubu’s visit.
Speaking on the agreement, Tunji-Ojo said Nigeria’s decision reflects its commitment to international obligations and responsible migration management.
“We are totally committed to being a responsible country in fulfilling our core obligations,” he said.
