The United Kingdom and Nigeria have agreed to strengthen cooperation on migration management, border security, extradition and financial crime, as both countries move to translate commitments made during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s March 2026 State Visit to the UK into practical measures.
The agreement followed the annual UK-Nigeria Migration, Justice and Home Affairs (MJHA) Dialogue, jointly chaired by senior officials of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UK Home Office in London on October 6, 2026.
The talks focused on tackling organised immigration crime and visa fraud, improving document verification and border management, and supporting safe and dignified return and reintegration. Both countries also agreed to deepen cooperation on extradition, asset recovery, prisoner transfer, cyber-enabled fraud and drug trafficking.
The renewed engagement comes amid significant migration links between the two countries, with Nigeria accounting for the third-highest volume of UK student visas globally and the fifth-highest volume of work visas, according to the statement announcing the outcome of the dialogue.
Beyond enforcement, the two countries agreed to support the development of Nigerian visa pathways for businesses seeking to invest in Nigeria, fulfilling another commitment made during Tinubu’s State Visit.
Vicky Seymour, British deputy high commissioner, said the partnership was delivering practical results on issues affecting both countries, with the latest dialogue providing a framework for implementing commitments made during the presidential visit.
“The UK-Nigeria partnership is delivering practical results on issues that matter to both our countries,” Seymour said, adding that the countries were working to protect legitimate travellers, tackle immigration-related abuses and strengthen border security.
“Our goal is simple: protect legitimate travellers, tackle those who abuse our systems and make both our countries safer,” she said.
Dunoma Umar Ahmed, Permanent Secretary at Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said migration remained one of the most important and visible aspects of bilateral relations, stressing that cooperation must extend beyond enforcement to create credible opportunities for legitimate migrants.
“This dialogue must both cover enforcement activities as well as ensuring meaningful opportunities for legal migration; and credible opportunities for pathways for legitimate migrants,” Ahmed said.
He added that the dialogue was ultimately aimed at strengthening the security, prosperity and safety of both countries and their citizens.
The agreement on business-related visa pathways is particularly significant for efforts to encourage investment and commercial engagement between the two economies. However, the statement did not provide details on the proposed pathways, including eligibility criteria, implementation timelines or the number of businesses expected to benefit.
Similarly, the two governments did not disclose specific targets, funding commitments or measurable benchmarks for the wider migration and security initiatives.
Both countries committed to jointly monitoring progress against the agreed measures, with Nigeria scheduled to host the next annual Migration, Justice and Home Affairs Dialogue in 2027.
