Nigeria Rejects UK Deportees Under New Migration Agreement

The Nigerian Presidency, through Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajayi, has clarified that Nigeria will not accept foreign deportees from the United Kingdom as part of a new migration agreement. This clarification was made in response to widespread misinformation regarding the agreement, which was signed during President Bola Tinubu's recent state visit to the UK.

The agreement, executed by Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on behalf of Nigeria and UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for the British government, specifically focuses on the return of Nigerian citizens who do not have legal residency status in the UK. Ajayi emphasized that the agreement includes provisions for humane treatment of returnees in line with Nigerian law and international standards.

It also establishes a structured system for identifying individuals, particularly vulnerable persons such as victims of human trafficking, and enhances cooperation between Nigeria and the UK in areas such as information sharing and capacity building.