Nigeria, UK sign landmark agreements on migration, border security, trade

*The United Kingdom and Nigeria sign three landmark agreements during the recent State Visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the country, to deepen bilateral cooperation on migration, border security and trade

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The United Kingdom (UK) and Nigeria have signed three landmark agreements during the recent State Visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the UK, to deepen bilateral cooperation on migration, border security and trade.

ConsumerConnect reports the agreements – two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and a Statement of Intent, reflect both countries’ commitment to building a transparent, safe and mutually beneficial migration system.

The bilateral agreements were also designed to remove barriers to trade and investment between the two countries.

UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, UK Trade Envoy Florence Eshalomi, and Nigeria’s Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo all signed the agreements on behalf of their respective economies.

It is noted that Nigeria recognises UK Letters, streamlining a shared migration framework built on transparency, dignity and mutual benefit.

The framework also revolves around joint operations and intelligence sharing to combat criminal gangs exploiting visa routes, including a fusion cell targeting romance fraud, investment scams and cryptocurrency schemes.

Likewise, the Statement of Intent on business visas opens new opportunities for the UK and Nigerian companies, supporting jobs and investment in both economies

For Nigeria, the fresh agreements represent a significant step towards the socio-economic development President Tinubu has made central to his reform agenda in the economy.

UK Letters are described as “alternative identification documents” issued by the Home Office where a person does not hold a valid passport or travel document.

Nigeria’s recognition of these documents reflects a shared commitment to a streamlined and dignified returns process.

As regards the business visa for Nigerian travellers, the Statement of Intent removes trade barriers and creates new pathways for Nigerian and British businesses to access each other’s markets.

This is regarded as a move, which Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Honourable Minister for Interior, described as essential to building a projected trillion-Dollar economy.

Onyinye Madu of the British High Commission Communications Office, Friday, March 20, 2026, in a statement, in Abuja, FCT, also said “Africa’s largest economy stands to benefit from deeper investment ties with the United Kingdom, one of the world’s leading financial centres.”

The statement noted that 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, the UK Government stated.

The statement also noted the annual returns to Nigeria have nearly doubled to 1,150, part of a broader effort by both governments at maintaining 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, stated the British High Commission Communications Office.

It equally said the existing collaboration had already resulted in over 400 arrests and £7.5 million seized, with joint National Crime Agency and Nigerian Police operations uncovering significant fraud networks.

On his remarks on the bilateral 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.”

UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum Alex Norris also stated: “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.”

Norris averred: “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.”

Minister: Partnership is testament to shared determination to build safe, beneficial migration system

Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony in the UK, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister for Interior, 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.”

Dr. Richard Montgomery, UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, 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.”

Separately, 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, Thursday, March 19, at Lancaster House, in London.

The British Government said 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.

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UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Nigeria’s Minister of Interior Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.