Nigeria Clarifies UK Migration Deal Targets Only Its Citizens — Presidency

The Nigerian Presidency has dismissed claims that the country agreed to accept foreign deportees under a new migration deal with the United Kingdom, stressing that the arrangement applies only to Nigerians in the UK without legal status.

According to Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, the clarification became necessary after misinformation emerged about the scope of the agreement.

In a statement posted on X on Friday, he said the deal is limited to Nigerians residing unlawfully in the UK.

He stated: “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 Ahmed Tinubu, on behalf of the Government of Nigeria, and the UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, only relates to Nigerians who do not have legal status to live and remain in the UK.

“The 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.”

He further noted that the agreement ensures humane treatment of returnees, safeguards their legal rights, and allows for possible future re-entry into the UK if immigration conditions are met.

The Interior Ministry said the deal outlines procedures for secure documentation, identity checks, and protections for vulnerable individuals, while also promoting collaboration in migration management and border security.

The agreement, signed by Tunji-Ojo and Mahmood during President Tinubu’s visit, allows the UK to return individuals without legal residency, including failed asylum seekers and foreign national offenders, while introducing measures such as the use of “UK letters” to speed up deportations.

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