Nigeria, UK seal deportation deal to return over 2,000 irregular migrants

Nigeria has signed a new agreement with the United Kingdom to facilitate the return of over 2,000 failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers and convicted offenders, in a move aimed at strengthening migration control, fast-tracking deportations and deepening bilateral security cooperation.

The agreement was signed by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, and Shabana Mahmood, UK Home Secretary, during the state visit of President Bola Tinubu to the UK, according to the UK Home Office.

Under the arrangement, the UK is expected to return more than 2,000 individuals who currently have no legal right to remain in the country.

This includes failed asylum seekers and foreign national offenders, as well as visa overstayers.

The deal introduces streamlined administrative processes aimed at accelerating deportations.

Official data cited by UK authorities show that approximately 961 Nigerians have exhausted their asylum appeal rights, while an additional 1,110 Nigerian offenders are awaiting deportation.

The new framework is therefore expected to significantly speed up removals that were previously delayed by bureaucratic hurdles.

A major breakthrough in the agreement is Nigeria’s decision to accept “UK letters”, alternative identification documents issued to individuals who do not possess valid passports.

This provision, being adopted for the first time, eliminates a longstanding obstacle that had slowed repatriation efforts due to documentation challenges.

Although details such as the commencement date, duration and financial implications of the deal remain undisclosed, there are still questions over whether the arrangement will apply strictly to Nigerian nationals or extend to other categories of migrants.

Speaking on the development, Tunji-Ojo said Nigeria’s participation underscores its commitment to international obligations and responsible migration governance.

“We are totally committed to being a responsible country in fulfilling our core obligations. To sustain that relationship, we must be as open and as fair as possible,” he stated.

On the UK side, Alex Norris, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, described Nigeria as a crucial partner in addressing illegal migration, noting that it remains the UK’s largest visa market in Africa.

“We owe everyone across the system fairness,” Norris said, adding that individuals who abuse immigration processes or violate UK laws would be removed.

Beyond deportations, the agreement also outlines enhanced security collaboration between both countries.

This includes joint operations and intelligence sharing to dismantle organised immigration crime networks involved in visa fraud, such as fake job sponsorships, sham marriages and forged financial records.

Nigeria is also expected to review and strengthen its legal framework to impose tougher penalties on immigration-related offences, as part of broader reforms tied to the partnership.

In addition, both countries will intensify efforts to combat online financial crimes, including romance scams, investment fraud and cryptocurrency-related schemes.

According to British High Commission, a new “fusion cell” model will bring together government agencies, financial institutions, technology firms and telecommunications companies to enable faster intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement actions.