Nigeria Refuses to Accept Foreign Deportees under New UK Migration Agreement

The Nigerian Presidency has made it clear that the country will not be responsible for accepting foreign deportees as stipulated in a newly sealed migration agreement with the United Kingdom.

Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, provided this clarification regarding the misinformation that has emerged surrounding the agreement.

Ajayi emphasized that the deal specifically pertains to Nigerian nationals who are residing unlawfully in the UK.

"For clarity, it is crucial to state that the contract signed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during President Tinubu’s State Visit, along with Home Secretary, Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood of the UK government, exclusively concerns Nigerians lacking the legal right to stay in the UK," Ajayi detailed.

He stated, “The Nigerian government will not accommodate non-Nigerians. Furthermore, the UK government is not pressuring Nigeria to accept individuals who are not Nigerian citizens. This clarification is essential given the spread of misinformation already circulating.”

Ajayi also assured that returnees who are citizens of Nigeria will be treated with respect, retaining their rights under domestic laws, and will have the possibility to re-enter the UK in the future if they meet the necessary immigration criteria.

Additionally, he shared updates from the Ministry of Interior, indicating that the agreement encompasses:

“Detailed provisions for the dignified return and reintegration of Nigerians who lack the legal right to remain in the UK, which consists of secured travel documents, identity verification on a case-by-case basis, as well as protections for vulnerable individuals and potential trafficking victims.

“This framework also delineates clear definitions, the scope of cooperation, and collaboration areas that include information sharing, capacity building, training, and joint research on the management of migration and border security.”