The Nigerian government says no foreign national will be returned to the country..

The Nigerian Presidency has said that the newly signed migration agreement with the United Kingdom applies solely to Nigerian citizens living illegally in the UK and does not involve accepting foreign deportees.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, addressed what he described as widespread misinformation surrounding the deal.

Ajayi said the agreement, signed by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the UK, only concerns Nigerians without legal residency in Britain.

“The Nigerian government is not taking back non-Nigerians. The UK government is not compelling Nigeria to take those who are not its citizens,” Ajayi said.

He added that the agreement guarantees returnees will be treated with dignity, retain rights under domestic law, and may re-enter Nigeria in the future if they meet immigration requirements.

The Ministry of Interior provided further details, highlighting measures for the safe return and reintegration of Nigerian citizens, including secure travel documentation, case-by-case identity verification, and protections for vulnerable individuals and potential trafficking victims.

The framework also outlines cooperation areas such as information sharing, capacity building, training, and joint research on migration management and border security.

News reports and a statement on the UK government's website had said

both countries reached a pact to facilitate the return of illegal migrants.

According to the UK government "Under the deal, visa overstayers, foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers will be deported more efficiently, including individuals without valid passports. For the first time, such individuals will be issued “UK letters” as alternative travel documents, which Nigeria has agreed to recognise".