The Presidency has clarified that the recent migration agreement with the United Kingdom applies only to Nigerians living in the UK without legal status. Reports suggesting that Nigeria had agreed to accept foreign nationals are incorrect, officials said.

Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, explained that the agreement, signed by Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the UK, is specifically for Nigerians who do not have legal permission to stay in the UK.

“The Nigerian government is not taking back non-Nigerians, and the UK government is not forcing Nigeria to accept anyone who is not a citizen,” Ajayi said.

The deal ensures that returned Nigerians will be treated with dignity, maintain their legal rights, and may be allowed to return to the UK in the future if they meet immigration requirements.

The Ministry of Interior added that the framework includes secure travel documents, identity checks for each case, and protections for vulnerable people, including potential trafficking victims. It also encourages cooperation between the two countries in areas such as information sharing, training, and research on migration management and border security.

Signed alongside UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, the agreement allows the UK to return individuals with no legal right to remain, including failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers, and foreign offenders. To speed up the process, Nigeria can accept alternative UK identification documents for those without valid passports.

The agreement is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen migration control and deepen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the UK.