The Federal Government has moved to dispel growing concerns over its recent agreement with the United Kingdom, clarifying that the deal strictly applies to Nigerians who do not have legal rights to reside in the UK.
It noted that, the arrangement does not in any way require Nigeria to accept foreign nationals, stressing that only verified Nigerian citizens without valid immigration status in the UK are covered.
In a statement issued by presidential aide, Temitope Ajayi, the government said: “For clarity, it is important to state that the agreement signed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the state visit of President Bola Tinubu on behalf of the government of Nigeria, and Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, on behalf of the UK government, only relates to Nigerians who do not have legal status to live and remain in the UK.
“Nigerian government is not taking back non-Nigerians. The UK government is not compelling Nigeria to take those who are not our citizens. This clarification becomes necessary because of those who have already revved up their misinformation machinery.”
The Federal Government further explained that the agreement provides safeguards to ensure that affected individuals are treated humanely and in accordance with Nigerian laws.
It noted that returnees would retain their rights and may re-enter the UK in the future, provided they meet the necessary immigration requirements.
Quoting the Ministry of Interior, the statement added: “It also provides detailed arrangements for the dignified return and reintegration of NIGERIANS who do not have the legal right to remain in the UK.
“This arrangement includes: the use of secured travel documentation, case-by-case identity verification, and safeguards for vulnerable individuals and potential victims of trafficking.
“This framework also sets out clear definitions, scope, and areas of cooperation, including information sharing, capacity building, training, and joint research on migration management and border security.”
Under the agreement, the UK government will now be able to return affected individuals using “UK letters” — alternative identification documents issued to persons without valid passports — following Nigeria’s decision to recognise such documents.
*The UK Home Office explained
“Visa overstayers, foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers will be removed from British soil far more easily under a new agreement struck this week during the state visit of Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu.
“UK letters, an alternative identification document issued to individuals without a valid passport and used to support the return of people with no right to remain in the UK, will be recognised by the Nigerian government for the first time.
“The agreement, reached between the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, and Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, removes one of the major administrative hurdles to returning people, meaning the UK will no longer have to wait for emergency travel documents to be issued by Nigeria.”
The UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said the deal would further strengthen efforts to curb illegal migration, while both countries deepen cooperation on border management and migration systems.
The Federal Government maintains that the agreement is part of broader bilateral engagements aimed at improving migration governance while protecting the rights and dignity of Nigerian citizens abroad.
