Federal Government has clarified that its recent migration agreement with the United Kingdom will apply strictly to Nigerian citizens, dismissing claims that foreign nationals would also be deported to Nigeria.
Gatekeepers News reports that the clarification followed public concerns over the deal signed during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the UK, which allows British authorities to return individuals without legal status, including failed asylum seekers, criminals, and visa overstayers.
In a statement, presidential aide Temitope Ajayi stressed that the agreement does not extend to non-Nigerians. He said, “Nigerian government is not taking back non-Nigerians.”
Ajayi added that the UK is not forcing Nigeria to accept foreign deportees and that the deal is limited to citizens who lack valid residency in Britain.
The government explained that the arrangement includes safeguards to ensure returnees are treated with dignity and retain their rights under Nigerian law, while also allowing them to re-enter the UK in the future if they meet immigration requirements.
Authorities also disclosed that deportations will be handled on a case-by-case basis, with proper identity verification before any individual is returned.
As part of the new framework, Nigeria will, for the first time, accept UK-issued identification letters for undocumented citizens, removing previous delays linked to emergency travel documents.
Officials say the agreement is part of broader cooperation between both countries on migration management, border security, and tackling immigration-related crimes.
