By Peter Omopo
The Presidency has dismissed reports suggesting that Nigeria has agreed to accept foreign deportees under a new migration agreement with the United Kingdom, stating that the deal applies strictly to Nigerian citizens residing illegally in the UK.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, made the clarification in a statement on Friday, amid growing public concern over the scope of the agreement.
Ajayi stressed that Nigeria would not accept non-citizens under the arrangement, noting that the UK government is not compelling the country to receive individuals who are not Nigerians.
“The agreement only relates to Nigerians who do not have legal status to live and remain in the UK. Nigeria is not taking back non-Nigerians,” he stated.
The migration pact was signed during the recent state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the UK. Nigeria was represented by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, while the British government was represented by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
According to the Presidency, the agreement establishes a framework for the dignified return and reintegration of Nigerians who do not have the legal right to remain in the UK.
Ajayi explained that the arrangement includes provisions for secure travel documentation, case-by-case identity verification, and safeguards for vulnerable individuals, including potential victims of human trafficking.
He added that the pact also covers broader areas of cooperation such as information sharing, capacity building, training, and joint research on migration management and border security.
The Presidency reiterated that 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.
