United Kingdom has reached a new agreement with Nigeria aimed at simplifying the deportation process for thousands of failed asylum seekers and convicted criminals.
According to the report, the UK Home Office confirmed that the arrangement was finalized with Nigerian authorities during the state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu earlier this week.
British officials believe the pact will encourage Nigeria to accept a higher number of deportees from the UK while reducing administrative bottlenecks that have previously slowed the process.
Reports indicate that 961 Nigerian nationals whose asylum applications have been rejected and who have exhausted all appeal options are currently in the UK.
These individuals have been conclusively deemed ineligible for refugee protection.
In addition, there are 1,110 Nigerian foreign national offenders awaiting deportation by the Home Office.
Both categories are expected to be more likely removed under the new agreement.
The deal also covers Nigerians who have overstayed their work or visitor visas.
A key provision allows Nigeria to accept diplomatic notes, referred to as ‘UK Letters’, as substitutes for standard travel documents like passports during deportation procedures.
Previously, one of the major challenges faced by UK authorities in deporting foreign nationals was the delay in obtaining passports or travel documents from their countries of origin, which are required before removal can take place.
The agreement was signed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Nigeria’s Interior Minister, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. Home Office Minister Alex Norris said: ‘Today’s agreement is another step in our mission to restore order to the border by ensuring those who have no right to be here are swiftly removed.
“Nigeria is a key partner in our work to tackle illegal migration, as the UK’s largest African visa market and home to thousands of Nigerians who have built their lives here. We owe everyone across the system fairness.”
Dr. Tunji-Ojo said Nigeria was “totally committed to being a responsible country in fulfilling our core obligations” and added: ‘Hopefully, this strengthened partnership will be a template for other bilateral understandings.”
Additional components of the broader agreement include joint efforts to combat cybercrime and fraud. The UK Daily Mail noted that a considerable share of international fraud targeting British citizens originates from West Africa, including Nigeria.
Both nations have also agreed to intensify efforts against criminal networks exploiting visa systems. This includes the introduction of a new document verification system to confirm the authenticity of applications. Furthermore, Nigeria has committed to reviewing its legal framework on immigration-related offenses, potentially introducing stricter penalties.
