Amid growing public concern, the Nigerian Government has clarified that its migration agreement with the United Kingdom does not mandate Nigeria to accept non-citizens.
The clarification follows public reaction to the Memorandum of Understanding on migration signed during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the UK. Officials say the deal is focused on strengthening cooperation between both countries in managing migration, particularly in tackling irregular migration and related offences.
According to the Presidency, the agreement applies only to the return of confirmed citizens of either country who no longer have legal grounds to remain abroad. Authorities stressed that there is no provision requiring Nigeria to admit individuals who are not its nationals, noting that strict identity verification processes are in place before any repatriation.
The framework outlines procedures for the safe and dignified return of affected persons, with safeguards to protect their rights throughout the process. It also allows returnees to travel with their personal belongings and provides time for them to settle their affairs before departure.
Officials further explained that Nigeria retains full control over its immigration system, with the Nigeria Immigration Service solely responsible for issuing travel documents and confirming identities. In cases of error, any wrongly returned individual must be readmitted by the requesting country at its own expense.
Beyond repatriation, the agreement includes reintegration support for returnees, ranging from immediate assistance on arrival to longer-term opportunities such as skills development and economic empowerment programmes. It also provides safeguards for individuals with pending legal or humanitarian claims.
The agreement, which will run for an initial five years, builds on previous migration partnerships between both countries. The government has also urged the public and media to verify information to prevent the spread of misinformation.
