The Presidency has clarified details of the migration agreement recently signed between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, dismissing claims that the deal obliges Nigeria to accept foreign nationals.
The statement, issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasized that only verified nationals of each country will be repatriated under the agreement.
According to the statement, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the UK by Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, and the UK Home Secretary, is designed to facilitate safe, orderly, and regulated migration while strengthening cooperation against irregular migration.
“Nowhere in the 12-page memorandum is Nigeria required to accept foreign nationals other than Nigerians,” the statement clarified. It added that all returnees must undergo multiple layers of identification and verification, and in cases of error, individuals would be returned to the requesting country at its own cost.
The Presidency stressed that Nigeria retains full control over its immigration processes. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) remains solely responsible for issuing travel documents and managing entry procedures.
The MoU also ensures that returnees are treated with dignity, in line with international human rights standards, and that they can appeal deportation decisions under domestic and international law.
The agreement also outlines procedures for the transfer of returnees’ personal belongings and reintegration support. Returnees may receive short-term assistance such as airport reception, accommodation, transportation, and care packs, as well as medium-term support for family reunification, documentation, and mental health services. Long-term assistance could include access to education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship programs to facilitate sustainable reintegration.
Onanuga emphasized that the MoU, valid for an initial period of five years and renewable for another five, does not compromise Nigeria’s sovereignty or immigration authority. He called on media outlets to verify information before reporting to avoid spreading misinformation.
The Presidency’s statement underscores that the agreement is intended to enhance bilateral cooperation while ensuring that migration processes are transparent, lawful, and respectful of human rights.
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