Federal Government Clarifies UK Repatriation Agreement: "We Are Not Taking Back Non-Nigerians"
The Federal Government has moved to debunk rumors surrounding the newly signed migration agreement with the United Kingdom, insisting that the deal strictly applies to Nigerian citizens without the legal right to remain in the UK.
The clarification, issued by presidential aide Temitope Ajayi, comes in response to what the government describes as a "misinformation machinery" suggesting Nigeria would host foreign deportees.
The agreement was finalized during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to London, signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
The framework focuses on the dignified return and reintegration of Nigerians who are visa overstayers, foreign criminals, or failed asylum seekers.
"Nigerian government is not taking back non-Nigerians. The UK government is not compelling Nigeria to take those who are not our citizens," Ajayi stated, emphasizing that returnees would retain their rights under domestic law and could potentially re-enter the UK in the future if they meet legal requirements.
A major highlight of the deal is the introduction of "UK Letters." For the first time, the Nigerian government will recognize these alternative identification documents for individuals without valid passports.
This move eliminates the long administrative wait for emergency travel documents, allowing the UK to remove individuals with no right to remain on British soil "far more easily."
According to the UK Home Office, the partnership also includes robust safeguards for vulnerable individuals and victims of human trafficking.
UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, hailed the agreement as a significant step in strengthening border security and managing migration effectively between the two nations.
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