The Nigerian presidency has clarified that its new migration agreement with the United Kingdom will only apply to Nigerian citizens and will not involve the return of foreign nationals.
According to Temitope Ajayi, media aide to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the deal strictly covers Nigerians in the UK without legal status, including failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers, and individuals convicted of crimes.
He stressed that Nigeria will not accept deportees who are not its citizens, dismissing concerns that the country could be compelled to receive foreign nationals under the agreement. “The Nigerian government is not taking back non-Nigerians,” Ajayi said, adding that the clarification was necessary to address misinformation surrounding the deal.
Ajayi also noted that returning citizens would be treated with dignity and retain their rights under Nigerian law, with the possibility of re-entry into the UK in the future if they meet immigration requirements. The position was reinforced by officials linked to Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who confirmed that the arrangement is limited strictly to Nigerian nationals.
A key feature of the agreement is Nigeria’s acceptance of UK-issued documentation, such as alternative identification certificates for individuals without passports, to facilitate returns. Previously, emergency travel documents were used for such cases.
The Ministry of Interior added that all deportations would be handled on a case-by-case basis, with proper identity verification required before any individual is accepted.
The broader framework also includes cooperation on information sharing, training, and capacity building in migration management and border security, reflecting ongoing collaboration between both countries on immigration issues.
