UK-Nigeria Deportation Deal: Tinubu Signs Agreement Allowing Return of Foreign Criminals
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday finalised a bilateral arrangement with the UK Home Office enabling the United Kingdom to deport foreign offenders and undocumented migrants to Nigeria.
Details of the pact were disclosed in a statement issued by the UK Home Office, which indicated that the agreement is designed to ease pressure on Britain’s immigration system while facilitating the removal of individuals residing illegally, including those lacking valid travel documentation.
“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,” the UK Home Office announced in a statement.
PulseNets learned that, under the terms of the deal, undocumented migrants without passports will, for the first time, be issued “UK letters” as substitute travel documents to accelerate repatriation procedures.
The UK authorities further noted that these documents “will be recognised by the Nigerian government for the first time,” marking a significant procedural shift in deportation logistics.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, had earlier criticised a separate deportation proposal from the United States Department of State in July 2025. PulseNets reported that the proposal, linked to the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, sought Nigeria’s acceptance of approximately 300 Venezuelan prisoners.
Reacting to the development, Tuggar dismissed the request, invoking a cultural reference to underline Nigeria’s domestic challenges.
“In the words of the famous US rap group Public Enemy… You’ll remember a line from Flava Flav – a member of the group – who said: ‘Flava Flav has problems of his own. I can’t do nothin’ for you, man’, ” the minister said.
His comments followed heightened diplomatic friction after the United States revised its visa policy for Nigerians. PulseNets learnt that the adjustment reduced five-year multiple-entry visas for Nigerian non-immigrants to single-entry permits valid for three months, a decision Tuggar linked to Nigeria’s refusal to accept the deportation arrangement.
Also Read: Tinubu UK State Visit 2026: Full Breakdown of Windsor Castle Events, £746m Port Deal, and Nigeria-UK Agreements
Further compounding the situation, Nigerians continue to face restrictions affecting visa processing for students and tourists travelling to the United States, a development that has also impacted prospective visitors, including football fans planning to attend global sporting events later in the year.
