The Presidency has reassured Nigerians that the country will not serve as a destination for foreign deportees under its newly signed migration agreement with the United Kingdom, clarifying that the deal strictly targets Nigerian citizens without legal residency status.
The clarification comes amid growing public unease and speculation that Nigeria had consented to accept migrants from third countries—a claim officials now firmly dismiss as false.
Presidential spokesman, Temitope Ajayi, said the agreement is narrowly defined and applies only to Nigerians who have violated immigration rules in the UK.
“At no point did Nigeria agree to receive non-Nigerians,” Ajayi stated.
“This is about our citizens who do not have legal status abroad, not about taking in foreigners.”
The deal was concluded during the recent state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo signing on behalf of Nigeria alongside UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Officials say the agreement is designed to create a more efficient and humane system for returning Nigerian nationals who fall into categories such as failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers, or convicted offenders.
Beyond deportation logistics, the pact also signals a broader shift toward structured migration management between both countries, with provisions covering data sharing, border control cooperation, and institutional capacity building.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior emphasised that the process will be handled on a case-by-case basis, incorporating identity verification and protections for vulnerable individuals, including victims of trafficking.
Authorities further stressed that returnees would be reintegrated with full respect for their legal rights, countering fears of stigmatization or neglect.
Importantly, officials noted that those affected are not permanently barred from the UK, as they may reapply through legal immigration channels if they meet the requirements.
The Presidency framed the agreement as part of a wider effort to balance international cooperation with national sovereignty, insisting that Nigeria retains full control over who is admitted into its territory.
With migration debates intensifying globally, the government’s clarification appears aimed at restoring public confidence and dispelling narratives that Nigeria is conceding ground in its bilateral dealings.