NIGERIA, UK SIGN DEAL TO RETURN FAILED ASYLUM SEEKERS, OVERSTAYERS, OFFENDERS

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

Nigeria has signed a new agreement with the United Kingdom to enable 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 UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the UK, according to the UK Home Office on Thursday.

Under the arrangement, 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 agreement also covers visa overstayers and introduces new administrative measures designed to simplify 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 — instead of standard travel documents.

The Home Office said this removes a major bureaucratic hurdle that previously delayed deportations.

While details such as the start date, duration, and financial terms were not disclosed, uncertainty remains over whether the agreement will apply strictly to Nigerian nationals or extend to other nationalities.

According to UK data, about 961 Nigerians have exhausted their asylum appeal rights, while another 1,110 Nigerian offenders are awaiting deportation, indicating that the deal could significantly speed up removals.

Speaking on the development, Tunji-Ojo said the agreement reflects Nigeria’s commitment to international responsibilities and effective migration management.

“We are totally committed to being a responsible country in fulfilling our core obligations.

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“To sustain that relationship, we must be as open and as fair as possible,” he said.

UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, described Nigeria as a key partner in tackling illegal migration, highlighting its status 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 provisions for joint operations and intelligence sharing to combat organised immigration crime.

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

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

The partnership will further target online fraud activities such as romance scams, investment fraud, and cryptocurrency schemes.

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

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