Nigeria has signed a new agreement with the United Kingdom that will allow British authorities to return failed asylum seekers and convicted offenders to the country.
The deal was sealed during President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to the UK, with Nigeria’s Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood formalising the arrangement.
Under the agreement, the UK will be able to deport individuals who have exhausted their asylum claims, as well as those convicted of crimes and people who have overstayed their visas.
A major shift in the deal is Nigeria’s decision to accept UK-issued identification documents for deportees who do not have passports.
Previously, the process relied on emergency travel certificates, which often slowed down removals.
Officials say the new arrangement is expected to speed up deportations by removing long-standing bureaucratic hurdles.
Although full details of the agreement, including when it will take effect, have not been made public, reports indicate that nearly 1,000 Nigerian nationals with failed asylum claims are currently awaiting deportation from the UK.
In addition, more than 1,100 convicted offenders are also due for removal.
Speaking on the development, Tunji-Ojo said Nigeria’s decision reflects its commitment to meeting international obligations and maintaining strong diplomatic ties.
“We must be open and fair in our dealings,” he said, stressing the importance of responsibility in sustaining bilateral relations.
UK officials also defended the agreement, describing Nigeria as a key partner in tackling illegal migration. Minister for border security and asylum Alex Norris said the deal would help ensure that those who break immigration rules or abuse the system are returned.
Beyond deportations, both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation on immigration enforcement, including intelligence sharing and joint operations to dismantle criminal networks.
Authorities say the partnership will also target crimes such as visa fraud, sham marriages, and financial scams, including online fraud schemes.
As part of the broader collaboration, Nigeria is expected to review its laws on immigration-related offences, with the aim of imposing tougher penalties.
The agreement marks a significant step in migration control efforts between both countries, though questions remain over whether it will apply strictly to Nigerian nationals or extend to others routed through Nigeria.
