The Nigerian Presidency has clarified that the recently signed migration agreement with the applies strictly to Nigerian citizens residing illegally in the country, not foreign nationals.
The clarification was issued by , Senior Special Assistant to President on Media and Publicity, following widespread reports suggesting that Nigeria had agreed to accept deported foreigners.
According to Ajayi, the agreement only covers Nigerians who do not have legal status to live or remain in the UK. He emphasised that Nigeria would not accept non-citizens under the deal and dismissed claims to the contrary as misinformation.
He explained that the agreement was signed by the Minister of Interior, , on behalf of Nigeria, alongside during President Tinubu’s official visit.
Ajayi further noted that the deal ensures that returning Nigerian citizens will be treated with dignity and in accordance with Nigerian laws. He added that such individuals may still be eligible to re-enter the UK in the future if they meet the country’s immigration requirements.
In a separate statement, the Ministry of Interior said the agreement provides a structured framework for the safe and dignified return of Nigerians without legal residency in the UK. The process includes identity verification on a case-by-case basis, use of secure travel documents, and safeguards for vulnerable persons, including victims of trafficking.
The agreement also outlines areas of cooperation between both countries, including information sharing, training, capacity building, and joint research on migration management and border security.
Under the terms of the deal, the UK can return individuals who have no legal right to remain in the country, such as failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers, and convicted offenders. It also introduces administrative measures to speed up deportation, including the use of alternative identification documents where passports are unavailable.
The Federal Government said the agreement is part of broader efforts to strengthen migration control and deepen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the UK.
