PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has signed a new agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) to facilitate the return of thousands of failed asylum seekers and convicted criminals to Nigeria.

The agreement, signed by Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and the UK’s Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, seeks to deepen cooperation on migration and criminal justice between both countries.

However, it remains unclear how such a decision would further impact a nation currently overwhelmed with protracted insecurity, occasioned by terrorism, banditry, gunrunning, kidnapping, armed robbery, internet fraud, among others.

The ICIR cannot also immediately confirm if the decision would involve accepting deported citizens of other countries into Nigeria by the Tinubu government, and if there will be pecuniary gains or other benefits attached to the plan.

With the agreement, “visa overstayers, foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers will be removed from British soil far more easily under a new agreement struck this week during the state visit of Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu,” a part of a statement released by the UK after the pact said.

The ICIR reported that Tinubu embarked on a state visit to the UK on Tuesday, accompanied by his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, and other top government functionaries for a high-level visit at the invitation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The Nigerian leader was hosted at Windsor Castle, marking the first state visit by a Nigerian president to the United Kingdom in 37 years.

The visit, which ended today, saw some agreements signed between the two nations, including trade and defence to further deepen the relationship between Nigeria’s former colonial master and the Africa’s most populous country.

Reacting further to the agreement on deportation of asylum and criminals, the UK said its letters, an alternative identification document issued to individuals without a valid passport and used to support the return of people with no right to remain in the UK, would be recognised by the Nigerian government for the first time.

“The agreement, reached between the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, and Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, removes one of the major administrative hurdles to returning people, meaning the UK will no longer have to wait for emergency travel documents to be issued by Nigeria,” the UK said.

According to the country, the new deal adds to the sweeping reforms the Home Secretary has made to the UK immigration system to secure the UK’s borders and remove incentives attracting illegal migrants to Britain.

Data by the UK authorities show that are currently 961 Nigerian failed asylum seekers in the UK who have exhausted their rights of appeal. There are also 1,110 foreign national offenders from Nigeria, whom the Home Office is waiting to deport.

The ICIR reports that the UK struck a similar deal with Rwanda in 2022. It agreed to pay at least £370 million for relocating asylum seekers to the country. However, the decision failed to materialise.

Speaking further on Tuesday after the pact with Nigeria, the UK said, “The agreement marks a shared commitment to safe, fair and well‑managed migration. Annual returns to Nigeria have nearly doubled to 1,150. Returns and deportations of illegal migrants and foreign criminals from the UK have reached nearly 60,000 since the 2024 election.

“A further agreement to launch joint operations and share information has been reached to crack down on criminal gangs abusing visa routes, making sure all arrivals are genuine and ready to contribute.

“Following a series of high‑profile cases involving fake job sponsorships, sham marriages and forged financial or employment records, a new standardised document‑checking system will verify the authenticity of applications. Nigeria will also review its laws to tackle immigration crime, ensuring the toughest possible sentences are handed down to offenders.”

It said the partnership would build on work already disrupting high‑harm fraud networks, preventing millions in losses and protecting vulnerable people across the UK.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum Alex Norris said the agreement was another step in UK’s mission to restore order to the border by ensuring those who have no right to be in the country are swiftly removed.

He said “Nigeria is a key partner in our work to tackle illegal migration, as the UK’s largest African visa market and home to thousands of Nigerians who have built their lives here. We owe everyone across the system fairness.”

Similarly, the Nigerian Minister of Interior commended the pact, noting that his country would ensure its success.

Marcus bears the light, and he beams it everywhere. He’s a good governance and decent society advocate. He’s The ICIR Reporter of the Year 2022 and has been the organisation’s News Editor since September 2023. Contact him via email @ mfatunmole@icirnigeria.org