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The Nigerian Government has clarified that its agreement with the United Kingdom on migration applies only to Nigerians who have no legal right to remain in the UK.
It stressed that Nigeria is not accepting non-Nigerians under the arrangement, adding that the UK is not compelling the country to receive individuals who are not its citizens.
In a statement issued by presidential aide Temitope Ajayi, the government dismissed what it described as misinformation surrounding the deal.
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… pic.twitter.com/tS4s5E2OOV
— Temitope Ajayi (@TheTope_Ajayi) March 20, 2026
“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,” the statement said.
Credit: Interior Ministry/X.
It added that returnees would be treated with dignity and in line with domestic legal protections, and may be eligible to re-enter in the future if they meet immigration requirements.
According to a social media post by the Ministry of Interior, the arrangement also provides for the dignified return and reintegration of Nigerians who are affected.
“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 noted.
It further explained that the framework outlines areas of cooperation such as information sharing, capacity building, training, and joint research on migration management and border security.
Under the agreement, the UK will be able to return affected individuals using “UK letters,” an alternative identification document for persons without valid passports. Nigeria has agreed to recognise the document, according to the UK Home Office.
The UK said the system is intended to ease administrative bottlenecks and speed up removals of visa overstayers, foreign offenders, and failed asylum seekers.
UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said the agreement strengthens efforts to tackle illegal migration and enforce immigration laws more effectively.
