The Presidency has refuted claims that Nigeria agreed to receive foreign deportees under a new migration arrangement with the United Kingdom, stating that the deal strictly applies to Nigerian nationals residing illegally in the UK.
Earlier reports had indicated that the Nigerian government signed an agreement with the UK to facilitate the deportation of failed asylum seekers and convicted criminals.
However, reacting to the development, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, described the narrative as false and misleading in a statement posted on X.
He emphasized that Nigeria has no obligation to accept non-Nigerians under the agreement.
Ajayi stated, “For clarity, it is important to state that the agreement signed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the State Visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on behalf of the government of Nigeria and Home Secretary Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood on behalf of the UK government only relates to Nigerians who do not have legal status to live and remain in the UK.
“The Nigerian government is not taking back non-Nigerians. The UK government is not compelling Nigeria to take those who are not our citizens.
“This clarification becomes necessary because of those who have already revved up their misinformation machinery.
“The agreement guarantees that returnees who are citizens of Nigeria will be treated with dignity, retain rights under domestic law, and may re-enter in the future if they meet the applicable immigration requirements.”
The presidency further cited a statement from the Ministry of Interior, which noted:
“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.
“This 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.”
