The Federal Government has clarified that its recent migration agreement with the United Kingdom applies strictly to undocumented Nigerians and does not involve the acceptance of foreign nationals.
The clarification, issued by the Presidency on Friday, followed widespread public concern and misinformation suggesting that Nigeria might be compelled to receive non-Nigerian deportees under the bilateral arrangement.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Temitope Ajayi, stated that the agreement only covers Nigerian citizens who do not have legal status to 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,” Ajayi said.
He explained that the deal targets categories such as visa overstayers, failed asylum seekers, and individuals convicted of crimes who have exhausted their legal rights to remain in the UK.
The Presidency emphasised that the clarification became necessary to counter misleading narratives surrounding the agreement.
Under the framework, deportations will be carried out following proper identification and verification processes, with each case treated individually.
The Federal Government also assured that all returnees would be treated with dignity and in accordance with Nigerian laws, with provisions allowing them to reapply for entry into the UK in the future if they meet immigration requirements.
The agreement, signed during President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to the UK, introduces the use of UK-issued identification documents, known as “UK letters,” to facilitate the return of undocumented Nigerians without valid passports.
Officials say the move is aimed at streamlining deportation processes, strengthening migration management, and enhancing cooperation between both countries on border security, information sharing, and capacity building.
