With the aim of deepening cooperation on migration, border security and trade, the United Kingdom and Nigeria signed three landmark agreements during the State Visit of President Bola Tinubu.
The agreements – two Memoranda of Understanding and a Statement of Intent, reflect both nations’ commitment to building a transparent, safe and mutually beneficial migration system, while removing barriers to trade and investment between the two countries. They were signed by UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, UK Trade Envoy Florence Eshalomi, and Nigeria’s Minister of Interior Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
For Nigeria, the agreements represent a significant step towards the socio-economic development President Tinubu has made central to his reform agenda. The business visa Statement of Intent removes trade barriers and creates new pathways for Nigerian and British businesses to access each other’s markets, a move Nigeria’s Interior Minister described as essential to building a trillion-dollar economy.
Africa’s largest economy stands to benefit from deeper investment ties with the United Kingdom, one of the world’s leading financial centres.
For the United Kingdom, the agreements strengthen a migration partnership grounded in fairness and the rule of law. Nigeria will for the first time recognise UK Letters as valid identification, simplifying a shared administrative process and reflecting the trust both governments have built. Annual returns to Nigeria have nearly doubled to 1,150, part of a broader effort by both governments to maintain the integrity of their immigration systems.
Both countries have also committed to dismantling the international criminal networks that prey on victims in Nigeria and the UK alike. A new fraud fusion cell, bringing together law enforcement, banks, tech firms and communications companies from both countries, will enable rapid intelligence sharing to disrupt romance fraud, investment scams and cryptocurrency schemes that damage individuals and economies on both sides. Existing collaboration has already resulted in more than 400 arrests and £7.5 million seized, with joint National Crime Agency and Nigerian Police operations uncovering significant fraud networks.
Speaking on the agreements, UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Nigeria is a vital partner for the UK. These agreements reflect a shared commitment to managing migration fairly and firmly, while opening up trade and investment opportunities that will benefit both our economies.”
In his words, UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum Alex Norris disclosed that “Anyone who abuses our systems, breaks our laws, or tries to cheat their way into Britain will be stopped and removed. Today’s agreements are another step in our mission to restore order to the border by ensuring those with no right to be here are swiftly removed. Nigeria is a key partner in this work, as the UK’s largest African visa market and home to thousands of Nigerians who have built their lives here.”
Also speaking, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said: “This partnership is a testament to our shared determination to build a migration system that is safe, orderly, and mutually beneficial. Hopefully this strengthened partnership will be a template for other bilateral understandings.”
On his part, UK High Commissioner to Nigeria Dr Richard Montgomery said: “These agreements mark a significant step forward in the UK-Nigeria partnership, built on mutual respect, shared interests, and a commitment to working together on the issues that matter most to both our countries.”
In another development on the margins of the State Visit, UK Home Office Minister for State Rt. Hon. Lord Hanson of Flint met with Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice Chief Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu at Lancaster House, London on Thursday 19 March.
The meeting, held almost a year on from the signing of the UK-Nigeria Memorandum of Understanding on fraud prevention, provided an opportunity to review progress under the agreement and discuss next steps in the two countries’ shared effort to combat fraud.
