Presidency Denies Reports On Foreign Deportees In Nigeria-UK Migration Deal

Presidency Denies Reports On Foreign Deportees In Nigeria-UK Migration Deal
Deal applies only to Nigerians without legal residency status in UK
Government assures humane return process and protection of national sovereignty

The Presidency has dismissed reports claiming that Nigeria agreed to accept foreign deportees under a new migration agreement with the United Kingdom, clarifying that the deal applies only to Nigerian citizens residing illegally in the country.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the clarification was issued on Friday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, who described the reports as misleading.

In a statement shared on his X account, Ajayi explained that the agreement, signed during the recent state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the UK, is limited in scope.

“For clarity, it is important to state that the agreement only relates to Nigerians who do not have legal status to live and remain in the UK,” he said.

He stressed that Nigeria is not obligated to accept deportees who are not its citizens.

“Nigeria is not taking back non-Nigerians. The UK government is not compelling Nigeria to take those who are not our citizens,” Ajayi added.

The agreement was signed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of Nigeria, and the UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, representing the British government.

According to the Presidency, the pact focuses strictly on the return of Nigerians without legal residency status in the UK.

Ajayi further stated that the agreement provides for humane treatment of returnees in line with Nigerian laws and international standards. He added that affected individuals would retain the right to reapply for entry into the UK, subject to meeting immigration requirements.

The Ministry of Interior also confirmed that the agreement establishes a structured framework for the dignified return and reintegration of Nigerians without legal status abroad.

It highlighted provisions such as secure travel documentation, identity verification, and protections for vulnerable individuals, including victims of human trafficking.

The ministry added that the deal strengthens cooperation between Nigeria and the UK in areas including information sharing, training, capacity building, and joint research on migration and border security.

Presidency Denies Reports On Foreign Deportees In Nigeria-UK Migration Deal Deal applies only to Nigerians without legal residency status in UK — Presidency Denies Reports On Foreign Deportees In Nigeria-UK Migration Deal

The Federal Government maintained that the agreement reflects a balanced approach to migration while safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty, insisting that claims of a broader deportation arrangement are inaccurate.