Nigeria, UK sign deal to deport failed asylum seekers, offenders

Nigeria has signed new agreement with the United Kingdom to facilitate the return of failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers and convicted offenders. 

The deal was signed by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, and Shabana Mahmood, home secretary, during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the UK, the Home Office announced on Thursday.

Under the arrangement, Nigeria will, for the first time, accept UK-issued identification letters for individuals without valid travel documents, a shift expected to ease long-standing administrative barriers to deportation.

The agreement also allows for the return of Nigerians who have exhausted their appeal rights, as well as foreign national offenders.

Speaking on the development, Tunji-Ojo said Nigeria’s participation reflects its commitment to global responsibility.

He said, “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.’ So, we need to be as open and as fair as possible.”

Alex Norris, UK minister for border security and asylum  described Nigeria as a crucial partner in tackling irregular migration, noting its position as Britain’s largest visa market in Africa.

He said, “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.”

While details such as the commencement date and financial terms were not disclosed, the agreement is expected to accelerate deportation processes.

Reports indicate that hundreds of Nigerians who have exhausted their legal options in the UK, as well as over a thousand offenders awaiting removal, could be affected.

The pact also includes plans for closer intelligence sharing and joint operations targeting criminal networks exploiting visa routes, including fraud schemes and organised immigration crime.