President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria following a three-day state visit to the United Kingdom, where both countries signed key agreements aimed at strengthening migration control, border security and economic cooperation.
The President arrived in Lagos alongside the First Lady and is expected to spend the Sallah break in the commercial city. He was received at the airport by senior government officials, including his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
During the visit, Tinubu held high-level talks with King Charles III and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in what officials described as efforts to deepen diplomatic, economic and security ties between both nations.
A major highlight of the visit was the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering migration partnership, organised immigration crime and border security, as well as expanded business visa access for UK firms operating in Nigeria. The agreements also align with the UK government’s broader post-2024 migration reforms, which focus on enforcement and international cooperation.
Under the migration pact, Nigeria will, for the first time, recognise UK-issued “return letters” as valid identification for its citizens without passports. The move is expected to speed up deportation processes by removing the need for emergency travel documents.
The agreement further enables the United Kingdom to return individuals with no legal right to remain in the country, including visa overstayers, foreign offenders and failed asylum seekers.
The MoU was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, alongside UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and UK Trade Envoy Florence Eshalomi.
In a related development, both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in tackling organised immigration crime. This includes launching joint operations and enhancing intelligence sharing to dismantle criminal networks exploiting visa systems.
Authorities also announced the introduction of a new standardised document-checking system designed to verify the authenticity of visa applications.
The UK Home Office said the measure follows a series of high-profile cases involving fake job sponsorships, sham marriages and forged financial or employment records.
On the economic front, President Tinubu witnessed the signing of a £746 million financing agreement to modernise key port infrastructure in Lagos State. The project is expected to improve trade efficiency, reduce congestion and boost Nigeria’s position as a regional maritime hub.
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