Hard times could be in the offing for Nigeria’s legion of illegal immigrant in the United Kingdom following a new migration agreement with Britain to facilitate the return of failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers and convicted offenders.
The move is seen by both governments as one that will strengthen border enforcement and bilateral cooperation.
The accord was signed by Nigeria’s Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom, Britain’s Home Office said on Thursday.
Under the arrangement, the UK will be able to deport individuals with no legal right to remain in the country, including foreign national offenders who have completed prison sentences and asylum applicants who have exhausted their appeal rights.
The agreement introduces administrative changes aimed at speeding up removals, including Nigeria’s acceptance of so-called “UK letters” — alternative identification documents issued to migrants without valid passports — as temporary travel documents.
British officials said the measure could remove a key obstacle that has previously delayed deportations.
Data from UK authorities show that nearly 1,000 Nigerian nationals have no outstanding asylum claims, while more than 1,100 Nigerian offenders are currently awaiting removal, indicating the deal could significantly increase the pace of returns.
Tunji-Ojo said Nigeria’s participation reflects its commitment to international migration obligations and maintaining strong diplomatic ties.
“We are totally committed to being a responsible country in fulfilling our core obligations,” he said, adding that cooperation on migration management was essential to sustaining broader bilateral relations.
UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum Alex Norris described Nigeria as a strategic partner in efforts to curb irregular migration, noting that the country represents Britain’s largest visa market in Africa.
He said the government remained determined to remove individuals who violate immigration laws. “Anyone who abuses our system or attempts to circumvent immigration rules will be removed,” Norris said.
Beyond deportations, the agreement provides for enhanced intelligence sharing and joint operations to combat organised immigration crime. Both countries plan to work together to disrupt networks involved in visa fraud, including fake employment sponsorships, sham marriages and forged financial documentation.
Officials also said Nigeria would review aspects of its legal framework to strengthen penalties for migration-related offences, while cooperation would extend to tackling associated financial crimes such as online scams and cryptocurrency-linked fraud.
A proposed “fusion cell” mechanism will bring together law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, technology firms and telecommunications operators to improve real-time intelligence exchange and coordinated enforcement actions.
The deal follows earlier British attempts to tighten migration controls, including a controversial plan announced in 2022 to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda, which was later abandoned after legal and political challenges.
Details of the start date, duration and financial terms of the new Nigeria agreement were not immediately disclosed.
