UK Migrant Deal: Nigeria Won’t Accept Foreign Deportees

Abuja – The Presidency has moved quickly to shut down growing misinformation about Nigeria’s newly signed migration agreement with the United Kingdom, insisting the deal covers only Nigerians living illegally in Britain.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, issued the clarification on Friday, barely 24 hours after the pact was announced following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s historic state visit to the UK.

NaijaChoice News reports that Ajayi described the false claims as the handiwork of those already “revving up their misinformation machinery.”

“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 stated.

He added pointedly: “Nigerian government is not taking back non-Nigerians. The UK government is not compelling Nigeria to take those who are not our citizens.”

The Ministry of Interior provided further details in an update attached to Ajayi’s statement. The framework focuses on the dignified return and reintegration of Nigerians without legal right to stay in the UK.

It spells out the use of secured travel documents, case-by-case identity checks, and special safeguards for vulnerable persons and possible victims of human trafficking.

The pact also opens doors for deeper cooperation between both countries, including information sharing, capacity building, training, and joint research on border security and migration management.

Returnees will enjoy full rights under Nigerian law and may apply to re-enter the UK in future if they meet immigration rules.

The agreement was sealed on the sidelines of Tinubu’s two-day state visit this week – the first by a Nigerian leader to Britain in 37 years – and is seen as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties on security and migration.

Many Nigerians in the diaspora and at home had raised concerns after initial reports suggested a broader deportation arrangement. The Presidency’s swift response appears aimed at calming those fears and protecting the image of the agreement.

Officials say the deal will now ensure orderly and humane handling of returns while boosting Nigeria’s own border control capacity.