The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has dismissed claims that Nigeria’s recent migration agreement with the United Kingdom includes provisions for relocating foreign criminals to the country, describing such reports as inaccurate.
Tunji-Ojo clarified the position during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, explaining that the agreement signed during Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the UK focuses strictly on the return of Nigerian nationals residing there without legal status.
Citing Article 7 of the agreement, the minister said both countries committed to cooperating on the dignified return of their citizens who no longer have the legal right to remain in either country, stressing that the arrangement does not cover third-country offenders.
He insisted the administration would not accept any deal involving the relocation of foreign criminals to Nigeria, noting that the agreement applies only to Nigerians who are overstayers or otherwise out of status in the UK.
Tunji-Ojo also assured the public that the pact is reciprocal and poses no security risk to the country, adding that it forms part of broader cooperation on migration management, border security and economic relations between both nations.
Addressing transparency concerns, he said the details of the agreement had already been made public through official communication by the presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
The minister further noted that Article 8 of the agreement provides safeguards for returnees, guaranteeing that they will be treated with dignity and in line with their fundamental rights upon arrival in Nigeria.
He described irregular migration as a shared global challenge requiring coordinated responses among nations, emphasising that the agreement is separate from controversial third-country asylum arrangements and is limited to lawful returns of nationals.
