𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Nigerian criminals, failed asylum seekers and immigration offenders will be booted out of Britain more regularly, ministers have declared.

Britain struck a new deal with Nigeria on Thursday, slashing red tape on planned removals.

Abuja has finally agreed to recognise UK Letters – an identity document used by the Home Office if a foreign national has lost, destroyed or does not hold a valid passport.

This means hundreds of Nigerians eligible for deportation will not have to wait for emergency travel documents issued by their own Government.

And the Nigerian government has vowed to “review” its efforts to tackle immigration crime. This follows fake job sponsorships, sham marriages and forged financial or employment records.

The Home Office announced it had signed an agreement with officials during this week’s state visit by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum Alex Norris said: “Anyone who abuses our systems, breaks our laws or tries to cheat their way into Britain will be stopped and removed.

“Today’s agreement is another step in our mission to restore order to the border by ensuring those who have no right to be here are swiftly removed.

“Nigeria is a key partner in our work to tackle illegal migration, as the UK’s largest African visa market and home to thousands of Nigerians who have built their lives here. We owe everyone across the system fairness.”

Around 1,150 Nigerians are removed every year, the Home Office said.

Home Office records show almost 3,000 people from the west African country are living in taxpayer-funded accommodation, including 516 in asylum hotels.

The number seeking refuge in the UK has soared from 1,149 in 2010 to 2,904 in 2025.

The vast majority arrived on visas, including work, study and visitor permits, before switching and claiming asylum.

Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said: “For us, as a country, we keep saying that we are totally committed to being a responsible country in fulfilling our core obligations.

“It is good that we are starting this with the UK. This relationship with the UK means a lot to Nigeria. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown great commitment to this.

“So it is one relationship that we aim to be able to sustain for generations yet to come.

“And for us to sustain that relationship, we must remember: ‘He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.’ So we need to be as open and as fair as possible.

“Hopefully, this strengthened partnership will be a template for other bilateral understandings.”