Only undocumented Nigerians affected, presidency clarifies UK deportation deal
Only undocumented Nigerians affected, presidency clarifies UK deportation deal
The Presidency has moved to counter what it described as misinformation surrounding the migration agreement signed during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom.
Under the agreement, the UK will be able to return individuals with no legal right to remain in the country, including failed asylum seekers and foreign national offenders.
A key provision allows Nigeria, for the first time, to accept alternative identification documents, referred to as “UK letters”, issued to individuals without valid passports, in place of standard travel documents, removing a bureaucratic obstacle that had previously delayed returns.
UK data indicates that about 961 Nigerians have exhausted their asylum appeal rights, while an additional 1,110 Nigerian offenders are awaiting deportation.
It said the deal applies strictly to Nigerians without legal status in the country and not to non-Nigerian nationals.
Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, made the clarification on Friday in a post on X, a day after the UK Home Office announced the agreement.
“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 Tinubu on behalf of the government of Nigeria and Home Secretary, Rt Hon 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,” Ajayi said.
He added that Nigeria would not be receiving non-Nigerian nationals under the arrangement, and that the UK was not compelling Nigeria to accept individuals who were not its citizens.
“This clarification becomes necessary because of those who have already revved up their misinformation machinery,” he said.
The Ministry of Interior also issued a statement affirming that returnees would be treated with dignity, retain rights under domestic law, and remain eligible to re-enter the UK in the future if they met applicable immigration requirements.
The ministry said the framework provided detailed arrangements for the dignified return and reintegration of Nigerians without legal right to remain in the U.
“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,” the statement read.
It added that the agreement set out clear definitions, scope, and areas of cooperation, covering information sharing, capacity building, training, and joint research on migration management and border security.
The deal was signed by Tunji-Ojo on Nigeria’s behalf and by Mahmood for the UK government during Tinubu’s state visit.
Speaking on the deal, Tunji-Ojo said Nigeria’s decision reflected its commitment to international obligations and responsible migration management, adding, “We are totally committed to being a responsible country in fulfilling our core obligations.”
