The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has rejected claims that Nigeria's new migration agreement with the United Kingdom will turn the country into a receptacle for foreign prisoners. Speaking on Channels Television's Politics Today on Tuesday, he described the deal as a reciprocal cooperation framework focused solely on the return of Nigerian nationals who are overstayers or have lost legal status in the UK. "There's nothing to be worried about," Tunji-Ojo said, stressing that the agreement is transparent and based on mutual diplomatic principles. He dismissed suggestions of hidden clauses, stating, "Absolutely nothing is hidden. Everything is in the agreement. If anybody insinuates that, you are accusing us of smuggling."
Tunji-Ojo clarified that only verified Nigerian citizens will be repatriated, with identity confirmed through biometric data within a five-day window. He emphasized that returnees will be treated with dignity and allowed to dispose of assets before returning, with reintegration support including accommodation, counselling, and access to jobs or education. The MoU is not legally binding but relies on diplomatic accountability, with Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs overseeing compliance. The minister also disclosed that Nigeria currently hosts approximately 840,290 visa overstayers. He reaffirmed that the government under President Bola Tinubu would never agree to accept foreign prisoners.
Tunji-Ojo's insistence that Nigeria will not accept foreign prisoners is not new—it's a line every minister would draw. The real issue is whether a non-binding MoU can withstand diplomatic pressure if the UK begins pushing for broader interpretations. With 840,290 overstayers already in Nigeria, the government's capacity to manage returns without compromising standards remains untested. This agreement may be framed as reciprocal, but the balance of power in such deals rarely treats both sides equally.
