No Forced Admissions: FG Clarifies Nigeria-UK Migration Deal Amid Misinformation
The Federal Government has moved to dispel growing public concern over Nigeria’s recent migration agreement with the United Kingdom, firmly stating that the deal does not compel the Country to accept Foreign Nationals.
In a clarification issued after widespread speculation, the Presidency said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during President Bola Tinubu’s State visit is strictly focused on cooperation around safe and regulated migration—not forced admissions.
Global Mirror News gathered that the agreement, signed by Nigeria’s Interior Ministry and the UK Home Department, is designed to tackle irregular migration while ensuring compliance with both Nations’ laws and International standards.
According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the 12-page document contains no clause requiring Nigeria to receive non-citizens. Instead, it applies only to the return of verified Nationals of either Country after thorough identification checks.
He stressed that in cases of mistaken identity, affected individuals would be returned to the requesting Country at its own expense.
The Government further explained that the agreement prioritises dignity and human rights, guaranteeing that returnees are treated with respect and allowed to travel with their legally acquired belongings—an improvement on past deportation practices.
Additionally, individuals facing legal or human rights issues abroad will have their cases reviewed before any repatriation decision is taken, especially where long-term residency or reintegration concerns exist.
The MoU also outlines structured reintegration support for returnees, including temporary accommodation, access to essential services, and long-term opportunities such as education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship programmes.
Crucially, authorities emphasised that Nigeria retains full control over its immigration processes. The Nigeria Immigration Service remains solely responsible for issuing travel documents and managing all return procedures, independent of any UK-issued documentation.
The agreement, which will run for an initial five-year period, builds on previous migration partnerships between both Countries signed in 2012, 2017, and 2022.
Reaffirming its stance on transparency, the Presidency urged media organisations to verify complex policy details before publication, warning that misinformation could mislead the public on sensitive National issues.
