The Nigerian government has formalized an agreement with the United Kingdom to return Nigerian nationals who failed asylum applications and convicted criminals. The deal was announced by the UK Home Office on Thursday.

The agreement was reached during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the UK, aiming to strengthen cooperation on migration control and security between the two countries.

Currently, around 961 Nigerians in the UK have exhausted all their appeal rights after being denied refugee status. These individuals are now eligible for deportation under the new arrangement.

In addition, 1,110 Nigerian nationals with criminal records are waiting to be repatriated. The agreement ensures their swift return to Nigeria in coordination with UK authorities.

The deal also covers Nigerians who have overstayed their visas in the UK, allowing authorities to process their deportation efficiently without waiting for emergency travel documents.

Officials on both sides described the agreement as a shared commitment to safe, fair, and well-managed migration, reinforcing cooperation and tackling illegal migration between Nigeria and the UK.