The Federal Government has signed a fresh agreement with the United Kingdom to facilitate the deportation of failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers and convicted criminals back to Nigeria.
The deal was formalised by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, during the official visit of President Bola Tinubu to Britain, according to a statement issued by the UK Home Office on Thursday.
Under the agreement, British authorities will be able to repatriate Nigerians who have exhausted their asylum claims, as well as those convicted of criminal offences or found to have violated immigration rules.
A key provision of the pact is Nigeria’s acceptance, for the first time, of UK-issued identification letters as valid travel documents for deportees without passports—effectively removing a longstanding bottleneck that delayed removals.
Previously, Nigerian authorities required emergency travel certificates before accepting undocumented returnees.
Although the commencement date and duration of the agreement were not disclosed, officials said the framework grants the UK broader operational flexibility to fast-track deportations.
It also remains unclear whether the deal includes any financial component or if it will apply strictly to Nigerian nationals.
Available data indicate that at least 961 Nigerians in the UK have had their asylum applications rejected and exhausted all legal appeals, making them liable for removal under the new arrangement.
Speaking on the development, Tunji-Ojo said Nigeria’s commitment to the agreement reflected its responsibility as a global partner.
He said, “We are totally committed to being a responsible country in fulfilling our obligations. For us to sustain that relationship, we must be as open and fair as possible.”
On his part, the UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, described Nigeria as a critical partner in tackling irregular migration, noting that the country remains Britain’s largest visa market in Africa.
“We owe everyone across the system fairness. Anyone who abuses our system or breaks our laws will be stopped and removed,” he said.
Beyond deportations, both countries agreed to strengthen collaboration through joint enforcement operations and intelligence sharing aimed at dismantling criminal networks exploiting visa routes.
The partnership will also target transnational crimes such as fraudulent job sponsorships, sham marriages, and falsification of financial and employment records.
In addition, Nigeria is expected to review its legal framework on immigration-related offences to impose stricter penalties on violators.
The agreement introduces a “fusion cell” model—bringing together government agencies, financial institutions, telecom firms and technology companies—to combat online fraud, including romance scams, investment fraud and cryptocurrency-related crimes targeting UK residents.
The latest pact comes amid growing global pressure on governments to tighten border controls and curb irregular migration, following the collapse of the UK’s controversial Rwanda deportation plan.
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