The United Kingdom has entered into a new agreement with Nigeria that will allow for the deportation of thousands of failed asylum seekers and convicted criminals, following engagements held during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit this week.
The deal, confirmed by the Home Office, was signed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Nigeria’s Interior Minister Dr Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, with both governments seeking to speed up removals and reduce administrative delays.
Authorities in the UK say there are currently 961 Nigerian nationals whose asylum applications have been rejected after exhausting all legal avenues. A further 1,110 Nigerian foreign national offenders are awaiting deportation. The agreement is expected to increase the likelihood of both groups being returned to their home country, alongside individuals who have overstayed work or visit visas. 
Under the new arrangement, Nigeria will accept diplomatic notes known as “UK Letters” in place of passports or other travel documents, addressing one of the major obstacles that has delayed deportations. Previously, the process depended on the issuing of travel papers by the country of origin before individuals could be repatriated.
Home Office minister Alex Norris said: “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.”
Dr 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.”
The broader agreement also includes cooperation on tackling cybercrime and fraud, with UK authorities noting that a significant share of international scams targeting British citizens originate from West Africa, including Nigeria. Both countries have agreed to act against criminal syndicates exploiting visa systems, including the introduction of a document verification mechanism to confirm the authenticity of applications.
Nigeria is also expected to review its legislation on immigration-related crimes, with the possibility of stricter penalties being considered.
The agreement comes amid a high-level state visit that has seen strengthened diplomatic and economic engagement between the two nations. President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu were hosted at Windsor Castle, where King Charles described Nigeria as an “economic powerhouse, a cultural force and an influential diplomatic voice.”
The visit included a state banquet featuring a menu of quail egg tartlet, fillet of turbot with lobster mousse wrapped in spinach, beurre blanc sauce, sprouting broccoli, pea and broad bean fricassee, and Jersey Royal potatoes. Dessert was an iced blackcurrant soufflé served with red fruit coulis, alongside a non alcoholic cocktail named “crimson bloom,” made using Zobo, English rose soda, hibiscus and ginger syrup.
During their stay, President Tinubu and the First Lady also visited St George’s Chapel to lay a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II. The visit, the first of its kind by Nigeria to the UK in 37 years, continues with high level meetings, including talks between President Tinubu and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street.
