The Presidency has dismissed reports suggesting that Nigeria agreed to receive foreign deportees under a new migration arrangement with the United Kingdom, stating that the agreement strictly applies to Nigerian citizens residing illegally in the UK.
The clarification was provided on Friday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, who described the reports as misleading and inaccurate.
According to him, the agreement reached during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent state visit to the United Kingdom is limited in scope and does not extend to non-Nigerian nationals.
Ajayi explained that the deal specifically targets Nigerians who do not have legal permission to live in the UK.
“For clarity, the agreement only relates to Nigerians without legal status in the UK,” he stated, emphasizing that Nigeria would not accept deportees who are not its citizens.
He further noted that the UK government is not pressuring Nigeria to take in foreign nationals, stressing that the country’s sovereignty remains intact.
The agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, representing their respective governments.
The Presidency added that the arrangement focuses on ensuring the orderly return of Nigerians without legal residency in the UK, while guaranteeing humane treatment in accordance with both Nigerian laws and international standards.
Ajayi also stated that affected individuals would retain the right to reapply for entry into the UK if they meet the necessary immigration requirements.
Supporting the Presidency’s position, the Ministry of Interior said the agreement provides a structured framework for the dignified return and reintegration of Nigerians.
Key components of the deal include proper documentation for travel, strict identity verification processes, and safeguards for vulnerable individuals, especially victims of human trafficking.
The ministry also highlighted plans for increased collaboration between Nigeria and the UK in areas such as information sharing, training, capacity building, and joint research on migration and border security.
The Federal Government maintained that the agreement represents a balanced and lawful approach to managing migration, while firmly protecting Nigeria’s national interests.
Ajayi said the clarification was necessary to counter widespread misinformation suggesting that Nigeria had entered into a broader deportation arrangement involving foreign nationals.
