- Nigeria and the United Kingdom formalised three agreements covering migration partnership, border security cooperation, and the expansion of business visas
- The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, emphasised that reducing barriers to legal migration and trade is essential for Nigeria’s growth
- The agreements aims to enhance migration management systems, improve border control measures, and reinforce international security cooperation
The governments of Nigeria and the United Kingdom have signed three key agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation on migration, border control, and business relations.
The agreements include a Memorandum of Understanding on Migration Partnership, a Statement of Intent on Cooperation on Organised Immigration Crime and Border Security, and another Statement of Intent focused on expanding business visa access for UK companies operating in Nigeria.
According to a statement issued on Thursday, March 19, by Babatunde Alao, media aide to the Minister of Interior, the agreements were signed in the UK by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the Nigerian government.
Speaking at the signing, Tunji-Ojo said the agreements reflect Nigeria’s commitment to a migration system that is transparent and aligned with both national interests and international obligations.
“This partnership is a testament to our shared determination to build a migration system that is safe, orderly, and mutually beneficial. We are not here to be diplomatic but to integrate and tell you that in the next year, all we want to be able to do is to reveal how far we have gone in being successful. And hopefully this will be a template for other bilateral understandings,” he said.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s strong collaboration with the UK Home Office, noting that the expansion of business visas would boost socio-economic growth, particularly in light of reforms introduced under President Bola Tinubu.
According to the minister, easing restrictions on legal migration and trade is critical to achieving Nigeria’s ambition of building a trillion-dollar economy.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood commended the partnership, stating that Nigeria would “always be categorised as number one in successful bilateral relations” due to the depth of cooperation between both countries.
Similarly, UK Trade Envoy Florence Eshalomi described the business visa agreement as beneficial to both nations, calling the strengthened relationship a bold and necessary step for Nigeria’s economic advancement.
The agreements are expected to enhance migration management, tackle organised immigration crime, and simplify business operations between Nigeria and the UK.