Nigeria UK deportation agreement clarification as FG denies accepting foreign deportees, saying deal applies only to Nigerians in the UK illegally

The Federal Government has firmly denied reports suggesting that Nigeria agreed to accept foreign deportees from the United Kingdom, issuing a detailed Nigeria UK deportation agreement clarification to address what it described as widespread misinformation.

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The Presidency, through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, stated that the bilateral migration arrangement signed during President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to the United Kingdom does not include the acceptance of non-Nigerian deportees.

According to the clarification, the agreement applies strictly to Nigerian citizens who are residing illegally in the United Kingdom and are subject to deportation under UK immigration laws.

Ajayi emphasised that Nigeria is under no obligation to receive individuals who are not its citizens, stressing that such claims circulating online were inaccurate and misleading.

He further explained that the arrangement was reached between Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, as part of broader cooperation on migration management.

The Presidency said the agreement establishes a structured framework for the “dignified return and reintegration” of affected Nigerians, with provisions for humane treatment in line with both domestic laws and international standards.

It also includes mechanisms for secure documentation, identity verification, and safeguards for vulnerable individuals, including victims of human trafficking.

In addition, the Federal Government highlighted that the deal strengthens cooperation between both countries in areas such as border security, information sharing, and migration control.

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Officials maintained that the clarification was necessary to counter false narratives suggesting a broader deportation arrangement involving non-Nigerians.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting national sovereignty while ensuring lawful and orderly migration processes.