Presidency clears air on agreement between Nigeria, United Kingdom
By Ismail Azeez
The Presidency has clarified that the recently signed migration agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom applies exclusively to Nigerian citizens who do not have legal status to live and remain in the UK.
According to Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, the deal does not involve the return of non-Nigerians, nor does it compel Nigeria to accept individuals who are not its citizens.
The agreement was signed during a state visit by President Bola Tinubu, with Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, signing on behalf of the Federal Government, while UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood represented the British government.
Ajayi said, "For clarity, it is important to state that the agreement signed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo during the State Visit of President Tinubu on behalf of the government of Nigeria and Home Secretary, Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood on behalf of the UK government only relates to Nigerians who do not have legal status to live and remain in the UK.
"Nigerian government is not taking back non-Nigerians. The UK government is not compelling Nigeria to take those who are not our citizens. This clarification becomes necessary because of those who have already revved up their misinformation machinery.
"The agreement guarantees that returnees who are citizens of Nigeria will be treated with dignity, rights retention under domestic law, and may re-enter in the future if they meet the applicable immigration requirements.
"It also provides detailed arrangements for the dignified return and reintegration of NIGERIANS who do not have the legal right to remain in the UK.
"This arrangement includes: the use of secured travel documentation, case-by-case identity verification, and safeguards for vulnerable individuals and potential victims of trafficking.
"This framework also sets out clear definitions, scope, and areas of cooperation, including; information sharing, capacity building, training, and joint research on migration management and border security."
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