Thousands of failed asylum seekers, criminals and Nigerians who overstayed work or visit visas could be deported from the United Kingdom to Nigeria under a new bilateral agreement reached during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the UK.
Britain has “secured a new deal with the Nigerian government which will make it easier to deport thousands of failed asylum seekers and criminals,” the Daily Mail is reporting that the agreement was signed this week as part of high-level engagements between both countries.
UK authorities are said to be currently dealing with hundreds of Nigerians whose asylum applications have been rejected. It reported that “there are 961 Nigerian failed asylum seekers in this country who have exhausted their rights of appeal,” while another “1,110 foreign national offenders from Nigeria” are awaiting deportation.
The agreement is expected to remove one of the major obstacles to deportations — delays in obtaining travel documents. Under the new arrangement, Nigeria will reportedly accept diplomatic notes, known as “UK Letters,” in place of passports during the removal process.
According to the Home Office, the agreement will also be used to return Nigerians who overstayed work or visit visas. It will see Nigeria accept diplomatic notes – known as ‘UK Letters’ – in lieu of travel documents such as passports during the deportation process.
UK ministers hope the deal will see Nigeria agree to receive more deportations from this country, with less red tape. According to the Home Office Minister, Alex Norris: “Today’s agreement is another step in our mission to restore order to the border by ensuring those who have no right to be here are swiftly removed.
“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.”
On his part, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said Nigeria was “totally committed to being a responsible country in fulfilling our core obligations” and added: ‘Hopefully, this strengthened partnership will be a template for other bilateral understandings.” Further elements of a wider deal will see action to tackle cybercrime and fraud.
