Clarification has been issued by the Presidency today, March 21, 2026, to debunk widespread reports claiming that Nigeria agreed to accept deported foreign nationals from the United Kingdom under a new migration deal. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, released a detailed statement on Saturday afternoon to address the “raft of misinformation” surrounding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to London. The Presidency emphasized that the agreement strictly covers the return of verified Nigerian nationals who no longer have the legal right to remain in the UK, and similarly, British nationals in Nigeria. This clarification is intended to calm domestic concerns that Nigeria was being positioned as a “dumping ground” for non-citizens deported from British soil.
According to the official statement published by The Nation, the 12-page migration pact is a strategic cooperation framework aimed at managing regular migration and tackling human trafficking. Onanuga noted that the agreement includes robust protections for returnees, ensuring they can travel back with their legally acquired property and receive reintegration support upon arrival in Nigeria. This support includes temporary accommodation, vocational training, and entrepreneurship funding to help verified citizens rebuild their lives. The clarification further noted that Nigerian authorities retain full control over the documentation process, and no individual will be admitted without clear proof of Nigerian citizenship. This measure is a safeguard against the accidental deportation of non-nationals to Nigeria, a scenario that the Federal Government insists is mathematically and legally prevented by the terms of the MoU.
The need for this clarification arose after social media influencers and some opposition figures suggested that the £746 million trade deal signed earlier in the week was tied to a “secret clause” for accepting foreign asylum seekers. Gopedia Media’s investigation into the document shows that the pact is actually centered on digital border management and the exchange of criminal intelligence between the Nigeria Customs Service and the UK’s HMRC. By providing this public clarification, the Tinubu administration seeks to maintain transparency in its diplomatic engagements. Analysts suggest that the detailed breakdown of the agreement will help manage public expectations and prevent the spread of xenophobic sentiments. As the implementation phase begins, the Federal Government has promised to keep the public informed through regular briefings by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.