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

Nigeria has signed a new agreement with the United Kingdom to facilitate the return of failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers, and convicted offenders, in a move aimed at strengthening migration control and bilateral cooperation.

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

Under the agreement, the UK will be able to return thousands of individuals with no legal right to remain in the country, including failed asylum seekers and foreign national offenders.

The arrangement also covers visa overstayers and introduces new administrative measures to ease the deportation process.

A key provision allows Nigeria, for the first time, to accept “UK letters” — alternative identification documents issued to individuals without valid passports — in place of standard travel documents.

The Home Office said this removes a major bureaucratic obstacle that previously delayed returns.

While the start date, duration, and financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, questions remain over whether the arrangement will apply strictly to Nigerian nationals or include other nationalities.

Data cited by UK authorities indicate that about 961 Nigerians have exhausted their asylum appeal rights, while an additional 1,110 Nigerian offenders are awaiting deportation, suggesting the agreement could significantly accelerate removals.

Speaking on the development, Tunji-Ojo said Nigeria’s decision reflects its commitment to international obligations and responsible migration management.

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“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,” Ojo said.

UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, described Nigeria as a key partner in tackling illegal migration, noting its position as the UK’s largest visa market in Africa.

“We owe everyone across the system fairness,” Norris said, adding that “anyone who abuses our system, breaks our laws or attempts to circumvent immigration rules will be removed.”

The agreement also includes plans for joint operations and intelligence sharing to combat organised immigration crime.

According to the Home Office, both countries will collaborate to dismantle criminal networks involved in visa fraud, including fake job sponsorships, sham marriages, and forged financial records.

In addition, Nigeria is expected to review its legal framework to strengthen penalties for immigration-related offences.

The partnership will further target online fraud, including romance scams, investment fraud, and cryptocurrency schemes.

A new “fusion cell” model will bring together public institutions, financial bodies, technology firms, and telecommunications companies to enable rapid intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement.

The deal follows previous UK migration arrangements, including a controversial 2022 agreement with Rwanda, which was later scrapped.