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• Extradition, asset recovery, prisoner transfer feature in London talks
From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
Nigeria and the United Kingdom have agreed to strengthen cooperation against visa fraud and organised immigration crime, alongside measures on extradition, asset recovery, prisoner transfer and border security.
The agreements were reached at the annual UK-Nigeria Migration, Justice and Home Affairs Dialogue in London, jointly chaired by senior officials from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UK Home Office.
In a statement made available to Daily Sun, the British High Commission in Abuja said the talks advanced commitments made during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom in March 2026.
“The talks translated commitments made during the State Visit into practical areas of cooperation that benefit Nigeria and the UK, including tackling organised immigration crime and visa fraud, improving document verification and border management, supporting safe and dignified return and reintegration, and strengthening cooperation on extradition, asset recovery, prisoner transfer, cyber-enabled fraud and drug trafficking,” the commission said.
It said Nigeria received the third-highest volume of UK student visas globally and the fifth-highest volume of work visas, making cooperation to protect legitimate travel and hold those who misuse the system accountable particularly important.
Both countries also agreed to support the development of Nigerian visa pathways for businesses seeking to invest in Nigeria, in fulfilment of another commitment made during the state visit.
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British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Vicky Seymour, said the partnership was producing practical results on issues affecting citizens of both 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, from tackling visa fraud and organised immigration crime to strengthening border security and supporting safe and dignified return and reintegration.
“Our goal is simple: protect legitimate travellers, tackle those who abuse our systems and make both our countries safer,” she said.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, said the dialogue must balance enforcement with credible opportunities for lawful migration.
“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 opportunities for pathways for legitimate migrants,” he said.
“The MJHA Dialogue is ultimately about strengthening the security, prosperity, and safety of our nations and citizens.”
Both countries agreed to monitor implementation of the commitments, with Nigeria scheduled to host the next annual dialogue in 2027.
