By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Presidency has moved to dispel what it described as widespread misinformation surrounding the migration partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, insisting that the agreement does not compel Nigeria to accept foreign nationals.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the government said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during the state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the UK has been widely misinterpreted.
“It has become necessary to debunk the raft of misinformation assailing the migration partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom,” the statement said.
According to the Presidency, the agreement was designed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote safe and regulated migration between both countries.
“The memorandum on immigration cooperation, like other memoranda signed, aimed to strengthen the partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom,” it added.
The government clarified that the agreement only covers the return of verified nationals and not third-party citizens, countering claims that Nigeria would be compelled to accept deportees from other countries.
“Nowhere in the 12-page memorandum is Nigeria required to accept foreign nationals other than Nigerians,” the statement stressed.
It explained that individuals to be repatriated must undergo strict identification and verification processes, and where errors occur, such individuals would be returned to the requesting country at its own cost.
“Nationals to be repatriated must have undergone multiple levels of identification and verification, and, where errors occur, they are returned to the requesting country at the requesting country’s cost.”
The Presidency further noted that both countries agreed to ensure the dignified return of their citizens who no longer have legal rights to remain in each other’s territory.
“Under the agreement, Nigeria and the United Kingdom will work together to secure the dignified return of their nationals… with due regard to their human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
Providing further clarity, the statement emphasised that the responsibility for issuing travel documents for Nigerian returnees rests solely with the Nigeria Immigration Service.
“It shall be the sole responsibility of the Nigeria Immigration Service to issue and handle… any Nigerian documentation ahead of the notified date of return,” it stated.
The Presidency also highlighted provisions for the welfare and reintegration of returnees, noting that the agreement includes structured support ranging from immediate assistance to long-term reintegration programmes.
“Every returnee will be able to access basic on-arrival and reintegration assistance… including accommodation, transportation, and potential access to education and entrepreneurship support.”
It added that migrants would be given the opportunity to manage their assets before departure, a departure from past practices.
“Every returnee will be given ample opportunity to make adequate arrangements for the transfer or disposal of his property,” the statement noted.
The government reiterated that the agreement is consistent with previous migration arrangements signed in 2012, 2017 and 2022, and will run for an initial period of five years, subject to renewal.
While urging the media to verify information before publication, the Presidency maintained that the agreement is in Nigeria’s interest and aligns with international best practices on migration management.
