…A major highlight of the agreement is Nigeria’s decision, for the first time, to accept UK-issued letters as valid identification for deportees who do not possess passports.
BRITAIN, UNITED KINGDOM- The iNews Times | Nigeria has struck a new agreement with the United Kingdom that will allow British authorities to deport thousands of failed asylum seekers and convicted offenders back to the country.
The pact was signed by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood during President Bola Tinubu’s two-day official visit to Britain, according to a statement issued by the UK Home Office on Thursday.
Under the deal, the UK will also be permitted to return individuals who have overstayed their visas, with provisions granting British authorities considerable operational flexibility.
A major highlight of the agreement is Nigeria’s decision, for the first time, to accept UK-issued letters as valid identification for deportees who do not possess passports. These letters will serve as alternative proof of identity, replacing the previous reliance on emergency travel certificates for undocumented individuals.
The Home Office said this move removes a longstanding bureaucratic hurdle that has often delayed deportation processes.
However, key details including when the agreement will take effect, how long it will last, and whether it involves any financial commitments have not been made public.
For context, the UK previously entered a similar arrangement with Rwanda in 2022, committing at least £370 million to relocate asylum seekers, though the plan was later scrapped after Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared it “dead.”
It also remains unclear whether the new deportation deal applies strictly to Nigerian nationals or extends to other foreign nationals.
Reports indicate that 961 Nigerian failed asylum seekers in the UK have exhausted all legal options, while authorities are also awaiting the deportation of 1,110 Nigerians convicted of crimes. Both groups are expected to be removed more swiftly under the new framework.
Tunji-Ojo said Nigeria’s participation reflects its commitment to fulfilling its international obligations responsibly, stressing the need for fairness and transparency in sustaining bilateral relations.
Meanwhile, UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, described Nigeria as a key partner in tackling irregular migration, noting that it remains the UK’s largest visa market in Africa. He added that individuals who exploit the system or violate British laws will be identified and removed.
The Home Office also revealed that both countries plan to strengthen collaboration through joint enforcement operations and intelligence sharing to dismantle criminal networks exploiting visa systems.
The agreement comes amid rising cases of fraudulent job sponsorships, sham marriages, and falsified financial and employment records.
Nigeria is expected to review its immigration laws to impose stricter penalties on offenders, while a new joint initiative will target online fraud, including romance scams, investment fraud, and cryptocurrency-related crimes.
This initiative, described as a “fusion cell” model will bring together government agencies, financial institutions, tech firms, and telecom companies to enable rapid intelligence sharing and a more coordinated response to evolving criminal tactics.
