The United Kingdom and Nigeria have agreed on fresh measures to tackle visa fraud, organised immigration crime and drug trafficking, while strengthening cooperation on extradition, asset recovery and the return of migrants....
The United Kingdom and Nigeria have agreed on fresh measures to tackle visa fraud, organised immigration crime and drug trafficking, while strengthening cooperation on extradition, asset recovery and the return of migrants.
The agreements were reached during the annual UK-Nigeria Migration, Justice and Home Affairs Dialogue held in London on October 6, according to a joint statement issued on Tuesday.
The meeting, co-chaired by senior officials of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UK Home Office, followed commitments made during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the UK in March 2026.
Both countries also agreed to improve document verification and border management, strengthen cooperation against cyber-enabled fraud, and support the safe and dignified return and reintegration of migrants.
The partnership will also explore the development of Nigerian visa pathways for businesses seeking to invest in Nigeria, in line with commitments made during Tinubu’s state visit.
British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Vicky Seymour, said the agreements were aimed at translating diplomatic commitments into practical benefits for citizens of both countries.
“The UK-Nigeria partnership is delivering practical results on issues that matter to both our countries,” Seymour said.
“Our goal is simple: protect legitimate travellers, tackle those who abuse our systems and make both our countries safer.”
Nigeria’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Dunoma Umar Ahmed, said cooperation on migration must balance enforcement with opportunities for legitimate travel.
“Migration remains one of the most important and visible aspects of the UK-Nigeria relationship,” Ahmed said.
He stressed the need for credible legal migration pathways, adding that the dialogue was ultimately aimed at strengthening the security, prosperity and safety of both countries and their citizens.
The statement noted that Nigeria ranks third globally among countries receiving the highest volume of UK student visas and fifth for work visas, highlighting the importance of protecting legitimate travel while addressing abuses of immigration systems.
Nigeria and the UK agreed to jointly monitor progress on the commitments, with Nigeria scheduled to host the next annual Migration, Justice and Home Affairs Dialogue in 2027.