Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to Bola Tinubu on Social Media, has dismissed claims that Nigeria agreed to accept foreign criminals and illegal migrants from the United Kingdom under a new bilateral deal.
The clarification follows a statement by the UK Home Office indicating that visa overstayers, foreign offenders and failed asylum seekers could be deported more easily after an agreement signed during Tinubu’s recent state visit.
However, some reports interpreted the development to mean that Nigeria would receive deported migrants from other countries.
Reacting in a post on X, Olusegun described such claims as misleading, explaining that the agreement only covers Nigerian citizens residing illegally in the UK.
According to him, over a thousand Nigerians currently face deportation due to expired visas or legal infractions, noting that the deal was designed to facilitate their orderly return.
He added that the framework ensures deported Nigerians will be treated with dignity, have their rights protected under Nigerian law, and retain the opportunity to reapply for entry into the UK if they meet immigration requirements.
Olusegun further explained that the agreement outlines broader areas of cooperation between both countries, including information sharing, capacity building, training, and joint efforts on migration management and border security.
He stressed that the arrangement focuses on structured and humane repatriation, rather than the relocation of foreign nationals to Nigeria.
