The Federal Government of Nigeria has clarified that its newly signed migration agreement with the United Kingdom applies strictly to Nigerian citizens who no longer have the legal right to remain in the UK, dismissing claims that the country would be compelled to accept non-Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Friday, presidential aide Temitope Ajayi explained that the agreement signed during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the UK only covers undocumented Nigerians, visa overstayers, and others whose legal residency status in Britain has expired.
According to the statement, the agreement was signed on behalf of Nigeria by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and on behalf of the UK by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
“For clarity, the agreement only relates to Nigerians who do not have legal status to live and remain in the UK. Nigeria is not taking back non-Nigerians, and the UK government is not compelling Nigeria to accept anyone who is not a Nigerian citizen,” the statement said.
The government noted that the clarification became necessary in response to what it described as growing misinformation surrounding the agreement.
Officials further explained that the framework guarantees that every Nigerian returnee will be treated with dignity, retain rights protected under Nigerian law, and may still be eligible to re-enter the UK in the future if they meet immigration requirements.
Quoting details released by the Federal Ministry of Interior, the statement said the arrangement provides structured procedures for the dignified return and reintegration of affected Nigerians.
These procedures include secure travel documentation, individual identity verification, and specific safeguards for vulnerable persons, including potential victims of human trafficking.
The agreement also establishes broader cooperation between both countries in migration governance, covering information sharing, technical capacity building, border management training, and joint research on migration and security issues.
Under the new arrangement, the UK will now be able to use what are known as “UK letters” — alternative identification documents issued to individuals without valid passports — for the return of affected Nigerians after Nigeria agreed to recognise the documents.
According to the Home Office, this removes a major administrative obstacle that previously delayed removals while waiting for emergency travel certificates from Nigerian authorities.
“Visa overstayers, foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers will now be removed from British soil more efficiently under the agreement reached during President Tinubu’s visit,” part of the UK statement noted.
The Home Office added that recognition of UK letters marks the first time Nigeria has formally accepted the document as valid for repatriation purposes, significantly streamlining return procedures.
Meanwhile, UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said the agreement strengthens both countries’ commitment to tackling irregular migration and improving border cooperation.
