Nigeria has signed a new agreement with the United Kingdom that will allow Britain to deport thousands of failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers, and convicted criminals back to the country. The deal was signed by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, and Shabana Mahmood, UK Home Secretary, during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the UK, the Home Office announced.
Under the agreement, Nigerian authorities will accept UK-issued letters as valid identity documents for return, reducing administrative delays for deportees without passports. The deal is expected to streamline the return of:
- Failed asylum seekers
- Visa overstayers
- Foreign criminals of Nigerian origin
Reports indicate about 961 Nigerian failed asylum seekers and 1,110 foreign national offenders are awaiting deportation from the UK.
The agreement also includes cooperation on migration partnership, border security, and business visa facilitation, aiming to strengthen legal migration channels and bilateral ties.
Details on the start date, duration, and financial arrangements are yet to be disclosed.