BY EDMOND ODOK – Amid what it described as widespread misinformation surrounding the newly signed migration agreement with the United Kingdom, the Presidency says there is no provision for Nigeria to accept foreign deportees.
Offering an insight on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, explained that the protocol strictly covers Nigerian citizens residing illegally in the UK.
The Presidential aide stated thus: “For clarity it is important to state that the agreement signed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo during the State Visit of President Tinubu on behalf of the government of Nigeria and Home Secretary, Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood on behalf of the UK government only relates to Nigerians who do not have legal status to live and remain in the UK.”
“Nigerian government is not taking back non-Nigerians. The UK government is not compelling Nigeria to take those who are not our citizens. This clarification becomes necessary because of those who have already revved up their misinformation machinery.
“The agreement guarantees that returnees who are citizens of Nigeria will be treated with dignity, rights retention under domestic law, and may re-enter in the future if they meet the applicable immigration requirements.”
Ajayi added further update and clarification from the Ministry of Interior, which states: “It also provides detailed arrangements for the dignified return and reintegration of NIGERIANS who do not have the legal right to remain in the UK.
“This arrangement includes: the use of secured travel documentation, case-by-case identity verification, and safeguards for vulnerable individuals and potential victims of trafficking.”
“This framework also sets out clear definitions, scope, and areas of cooperation, including; information sharing, capacity building, training, and joint research on migration management and border security,”, the SSA explained.
