The Federal Government has integrated more than 17 billion migration records into an automated system as part of broader efforts to streamline its migration processes. The announcement came during a meeting between Minister of Interior Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and the European Union Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Mr Magnus Brunner, and his delegation in Abuja. The meeting was held ahead of the formal signing of a readmission agreement that took nearly a decade to conclude, according to a statement by the Ministry's Head of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Mary Ali.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the automation and integration of identity databases would enable authorities to verify the nationality of individuals being returned to Nigeria more quickly and accurately. He outlined three categories of persons who may be subject to readmission: those holding valid Nigerian travel documents, those who travelled with documents but later lost or destroyed them, and those who travelled without any identification. The government is developing systems to establish the identities of such individuals through available national records.
He noted that similar arrangements are already being implemented with the United Kingdom, while discussions are ongoing with the United States to replicate the system. The minister described the agreement as significant for facilitating the return of Nigerians without legal grounds to remain in EU member states and for promoting a more orderly, dignified, and mutually beneficial migration management system.
Tunji-Ojo assured the EU delegation that Nigeria would honour every provision of the agreement. He stressed that the government's position on irregular migration is clear, stating that Nigeria does not encourage illegal migration or any abuse of the trust established between countries. He argued that building mutual trust should come before discussions on easing migration procedures, since greater confidence between Nigeria and its international partners would create better conditions for legal migration and cooperation.
On border security, the minister called for stronger international collaboration and real-time information sharing, particularly against human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and other cross-border crimes. He said individual countries acting alone could not effectively tackle these challenges.
He also reported progress in correctional service reforms, noting that the number of repeat offenders fell from about 13,000 in 2023 to approximately 1,600 in the previous year. Brunner described the finalisation of the agreement as a significant development in Nigeria-EU relations, saying it could provide a foundation for cooperation in other areas. He commended Nigeria's efforts to modernise its border security architecture and said the EU was ready to deepen collaboration through its border management agency.
The commissioner identified police cooperation, the fight against human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and the creation of legal migration pathways as areas needing sustained engagement. He disclosed that about 260,000 Nigerians were legally resident in the EU and stressed the importance of expanding opportunities for safe and regular migration.
A member of the EU delegation, Johannes Lucher, acknowledged that the negotiations had not been easy, explaining that Nigeria had sought to include other areas of cooperation in the agreement, among them anti-trafficking, anti-drug trafficking, and legal migration pathways. Lucher assured the Nigerian side that discussions on those areas would begin once the readmission agreement was concluded. He also disclosed that the EU had made almost €100 million available in additional funding to support broader cooperation, with talks scheduled to begin with Nigerian migration and security officials.
The meeting ended with both sides committing to strengthen cooperation, build mutual trust, and develop practical solutions to shared migration and security challenges.