The Presidency has clarified that the recently signed migration agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom applies strictly to Nigerian citizens residing illegally in Britain.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said the clarification became necessary following reports suggesting that Nigeria had agreed to accept foreign deportees.
In a statement posted on X on Friday, Ajayi explained that the agreement only concerns Nigerians who do not have legal status to live and remain in the UK.
He said: “For clarity, it is important to state that the agreement signed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on behalf of the Government of Nigeria, and the UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, only relates to Nigerians who do not have legal status to live and remain in the UK.
“The Nigerian government is not taking back non-Nigerians. The UK government is not compelling Nigeria to take those who are not our citizens. This clarification becomes necessary because of those who have already revved up their misinformation machinery.”
Ajayi added that the agreement guarantees that Nigerian returnees will be treated with dignity, retain their rights under domestic law, and may re-enter the UK in the future if they meet applicable immigration requirements.
The Federal Ministry of Interior, in a separate statement, said the arrangement provides a structured framework for the return and reintegration of Nigerians without legal residency in the UK.
According to the ministry, the deal includes the use of secure travel documentation, case-by-case identity verification, and safeguards for vulnerable individuals, including potential victims of trafficking.
It also outlines areas of cooperation such as information sharing, capacity building, training, and joint research on migration management and border security.
The agreement was signed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom.
Under the deal, the UK can return individuals with no legal right to remain in the country, including failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers, and convicted offenders, with new administrative measures introduced to streamline the process.
The Presidency maintained that the arrangement is in line with Nigeria’s international obligations while strengthening bilateral cooperation on migration and border control.
