Nigeria to accept UK-issued letters as alternative IDs

…. new deal will allow the UK to deport failed asylum seekers and visa overstayers 

….both countries pledge to share intelligence and launch joint operations to dismantle criminal gangs exploiting visa routes through sham marriages and forged employment records

 

Nigeria and the United Kingdom have formalised a new migration agreement to allow for the first time, UK-issued letters as alternative identification for individuals without valid passports.

The new agreement also allows Britain to deport thousands of failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers, and foreign national offenders back to West Africa.

The deal was signed by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of Interior and Shabana Mahmood, Britain’s home secretary during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the UK.

In the ministers post on X, he noted: “The agreement guarantees that returnees will be treated with dignity, rights retention under domestic law, and may re-enter in the future if they meet the applicable immigration requirements”.

“It also provides detailed arrangements for the dignified return and reintegration of Nigerians who do not have the legal right to remain in the UK.”

“This arrangement includes: the use of secured travel documentation, case-by-case identity verification, and safeguards for vulnerable individuals and potential victims of trafficking”.

He also noted that the framework also sets out clear definitions, scope, and areas of cooperation, including, information sharing, capacity building, training, and joint research on migration management and border security.

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Streamlining returns

Concerning returns, they were often delayed by the administrative requirement for emergency travel documents.

The Home Office noted that this change removes a primary hurdle in the deportation process.

While the exact start date and financial details of the agreement remain undisclosed, it follows the UK’s previous, more controversial attempts at migration partnerships.

Tunji-Ojo emphasised that the agreement reflects Nigeria’s commitment to international standards.

“Nigeria’s participation in this deal shows that we are totally committed to being a responsible country in fulfilling our core obligations. For us to sustain that relationship, we must remember: ‘He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.’ We need to be as open and as fair as possible”, he said.q

Alex Norris, UK minister for Border Security and Asylum highlighted Nigeria’s role as a vital partner, noting it is Britain’s largest African visa market.

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“We owe everyone across the system fairness. Anyone who abuses our systems, breaks our laws, or tries to cheat their way into Britain will be stopped and removed.”

The partnership extends beyond deportations. Both nations have pledged to share intelligence and launch joint operations to dismantle criminal gangs exploiting visa routes through sham marriages and forged employment records.

In addition, a new “fusion cell” model will be established to protect the British public from online scams. This initiative will see public bodies, banks, and technology firms collaborating to share real-time intelligence on romance fraud and cryptocurrency schemes.

According to reports, there are currently 961 Nigerian asylum seekers in the UK who have exhausted all legal appeals, alongside 1,110 foreign national offenders awaiting deportation.

Under the new agreement, officials expect these removals to be processed with significantly greater speed.