By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
Nigeria and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on migration, justice, and security during the annual Migration, Justice, and Home Affairs (MJHA) Dialogue held in Abuja on October 8, 2025.
Senior officials from both nations pledged to build on their long-standing partnership by tackling irregular migration, enhancing trade through visa reforms, and combating organized crime.
This year’s dialogue, which followed the 2024 session in London, produced renewed commitments to return agreements, visa facilitation for business, and deeper collaboration against criminal networks.
Return Agreements Strengthened: UK and Nigeria Deepen Migration Partnership
In a move to improve migration management, both governments reaffirmed their collaboration on the return and reintegration of individuals with no legal right to remain in either country.
The 2022 Migration Returns Memorandum of Understanding was hailed as effective, and officials agreed to ensure safe, dignified, and respectful return processes.
A joint review will further enhance transparency and operational efficiency in future returns.
Both nations announced progress on e-visa systems to ease travel for business and investment.
The UK shared updates on its digital visa rollout, while Nigeria showcased its own e-visa developments aimed at facilitating global business access.
Officials also agreed to simplify visa applications for Nigerian business travelers and boost awareness of migrants’ rights under UK law.
Joint Crackdown on Visa Abuse and Immigration Crime
Nigeria and the UK committed to signing a Memorandum of Understanding on Organized Immigration Crime, building on progress made in 2024.
The agreement will strengthen border management, expand officer training, and boost joint prosecution efforts to curb irregular migration and visa abuse.
New Front Against Crime: UK–Nigeria to Launch First-Ever Strategic Threat Analysis in West Africa
In a major breakthrough, both countries agreed to develop a Nigerian Strategic Serious Organized Crime (SOC) Threat Analysis, the first of its kind in West Africa.
The initiative will align with the UNTOC Convention and create a shared intelligence framework for tracking transnational criminal threats.
The United Kingdom formally transferred its PREVENT/Brighter Futures Programme to Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
The youth-focused initiative helps divert vulnerable individuals from organized crime by building resilience and creating positive opportunities.
Nigeria committed to expanding the programme nationwide and urged continued UK support beyond 2026.
Both sides also agreed to modernize their extradition processes to ensure criminals cannot evade justice across borders.
The UK will share information on prison detention conditions to support judicial assurances on the treatment of extradited persons.
Quarterly meetings will now be held to maintain momentum on extradition and criminal justice reforms.
Prisoner Transfer Pact Under Review for Modernization
Officials agreed to update the Prisoner Transfer Agreement to reflect Nigeria’s Correctional Services Act of 2019.
Future discussions will clarify detention conditions and transfer timelines to ensure compliance with both nations’ laws.
The review follows a UK Ministry of Justice visit to Nigerian prisons in 2024.
United Against Trafficking: UK and Nigeria Boost Maritime and Human Trafficking Cooperation
The two countries will soon sign an MOU to combat human trafficking and illicit commodities trade, with a focus on the maritime domain.
Agencies such as the Customs Service, the Navy, and the NDLEA will work closely with UK partners to disrupt trafficking networks and strengthen border operations.
The UK reaffirmed support for Nigeria’s efforts to combat illicit financial flows, money laundering, and terrorist financing.
Both nations will work toward a Public-Private Partnership model to enhance financial transparency and law enforcement collaboration.
They also called for a global reform of financial centers to stop kleptocracy and protect development gains.
Both countries pledged to jointly monitor progress on all agreed priorities ahead of the next annual dialogue, set to take place in the United Kingdom in 2026.
The upcoming talks will continue to involve relevant ministries, agencies, and law enforcement bodies from both sides.
Signed in Abuja on October 8, 2025, Ambassador Asari E. Allotey – Nigeria Chair, Ambassador Asim Hafeez – UK Chair.
