From left: Aminu Muhammad Dalhatu, Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK; Dr Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Interior; Simon Ridley, Permanent Secretary, UK Home Office; Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Vicky Seymour, British Deputy High Commissioner, at the annual UK-Nigeria Migration, Justice and Home Affairs Dialogue in London.
The United Kingdom and Nigeria have agreed on new measures to strengthen cooperation on migration, justice and security, building on commitments made during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s State Visit to the UK in March 2026.
Senior officials from the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UK Home Office jointly chaired the annual UK-Nigeria Migration, Justice and Home Affairs (MJHA) Dialogue in London on 6 October.
The meeting focused on translating the State Visit commitments into practical action, including joint efforts to tackle organised immigration crime and visa fraud, improve document verification and border management, support safe and dignified return and reintegration of migrants, and strengthen collaboration on extradition, asset recovery, prisoner transfer, cyber-enabled fraud and drug trafficking.
Officials noted that cooperation to protect legitimate travel remains critical. Nigeria is the third largest recipient of UK student visas globally and the fifth largest for work visas.
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Both countries also agreed to support the development of Nigerian visa pathways for businesses seeking to invest in Nigeria, another commitment from the State Visit.
British Deputy High Commissioner, Ms. Vicky Seymour, said the partnership was producing practical results.
“The UK-Nigeria partnership is delivering practical results on issues that matter to both our countries. Building on the momentum of President Tinubu’s State Visit, we are turning political commitments into action that benefits citizens in both our countries.
“Our goal is simple: protect legitimate travellers, tackle those who abuse our systems and make both our countries safer,” she said.
Nigeria’s Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Dunoma Umar Ahmed, said migration remains central to bilateral relations.
“Migration remains one of the most important and visible aspects of the UK-Nigeria relationship. This dialogue must both cover enforcement activities as well as ensuring meaningful opportunities for legal migration and credible pathways for legitimate migrants.
“The MJHA Dialogue is ultimately about strengthening the security, prosperity, and safety of our nations and citizens,” he said.
Both countries agreed to jointly monitor progress on the commitments, with Nigeria scheduled to host the next annual dialogue in 2027.
