Nigeria and the UK sign three agreements to strengthen migration management, border security, and expand business visa opportunities...

The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Kingdom have signed three key agreements aimed at strengthening migration management, border security, and business mobility between both countries.

CBI News reports that the agreements include a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Migration Partnership, a Statement of Intent on Cooperation on Organised Immigration Crime and Border Security, and another Statement of Intent on the Expansion of Business Visas for UK companies operating in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, signed two of the agreements on Wednesday and the third on Thursday while representing the Federal Government in the UK.

Tunji-Ojo said the agreements demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to a migration system that is transparent and aligned with both national interests and international obligations.

“This partnership is a testament to our shared determination to build a migration system that is safe, orderly, and mutually beneficial,” he said.

“We are not here to be diplomatic but to integrate and tell you that in the next one year all we want to be able to do is to reveal how far we have gone in being successful. And hopefully this will be a template for other bilateral understandings.”

The minister highlighted the long-standing cooperation between Nigeria and the UK, noting the existing working relationship with the UK Home Office.

“This relationship with the UK means a lot to us and you can see the level of commitment that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has put in,” he added.

Tunji-Ojo reaffirmed Nigeria’s responsibility to protect its citizens while ensuring that those who exploit legal migration pathways or engage in criminal activities are held accountable.

On the agreement to expand business visas, he described it as a significant step toward economic growth, adding that visa policies can serve as a catalyst for socio-economic development.

“Regarding visa agreement, personally as the Minister of Interior, I can tell you that I am very happy with this, because for us, this is what we have been looking forward to,” he said.

He stressed that removing barriers such as irregular migration is essential to achieving Nigeria’s ambition of building a trillion-dollar economy.

He said: “I want to assure you on behalf of Mr President and the great people of Nigeria, that we are open for endless possibilities of growth and socio-economic development. So be rest assured that we will be true to this, we will swing into action and ensure all barriers are removed.”

Speaking on behalf of the UK, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described Nigeria as a key partner in bilateral relations.

“We are obviously always having bilateral discussions with other countries, however, you will always be number one because you are the first to have gotten such an extensive agreement and we really do appreciate it,” she said.

“I think we both understand one another and I think we have a shared vision here for the work that our countries can do together and I really do appreciate it.”

Also speaking, UK Trade Envoy Florence Eshalomi noted that the expansion of business visas offers clear benefits for both countries, describing the strengthened partnership as a bold step toward economic growth for Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy.