March 19, (THEWILL) — The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Kingdom have signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen bilateral cooperation in migration management, border security and business mobility.
The agreements, signed in London, cover a migration partnership framework, cooperation on organised immigration crime and border security, and a statement of intent on expanding business visa access for UK companies operating in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, signed two of the MoUs on Wednesday, and the third on Thursday, on behalf of the Federal Government.
Details of the development were contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Babatunde Alao.
Tunji-Ojo said the agreements reflected Nigeria’s commitment to a transparent migration framework aligned with national interests and international obligations. He noted that the partnership underscored a shared determination by both countries to build a migration system that is safe, orderly and mutually beneficial.
According to the minister, the immediate focus will be on achieving measurable progress through effective implementation, expressing optimism that the agreements would serve as a model for future bilateral cooperation.
He also acknowledged Nigeria’s existing working relationship with the UK Home Office, describing it as commendable.
“This relationship with the UK means a lot to us, and you can see the level of commitment that Bola Ahmed Tinubu has put in”, Tunji-Ojo said.
He reiterated Nigeria’s resolve to protect its citizens while ensuring that individuals who exploit legal migration pathways or engage in criminal activities are held accountable.
On the expansion of business visas, the minister described the agreement as a major step toward enhancing economic opportunities, noting that visa policies can serve as catalysts for socio-economic development.
“In building a trillion-dollar economy, Nigeria must dismantle trade barriers, including those associated with irregular migration”, he said, assuring that the government would act swiftly to remove obstacles to growth and investment.
Speaking on behalf of the UK, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described Nigeria as a leading partner in bilateral relations.
“We are obviously always having bilateral discussions with other countries; however, you will always be number one because you are the first to have gotten such an extensive agreement”, she said, adding that both nations share a common vision for deeper cooperation.
Also speaking, UK Trade Envoy, Florence Eshalomi, said the business visa expansion agreement would deliver clear benefits to both countries and boost economic growth.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Migration Partnership MoU establishes a comprehensive framework to promote safe, orderly and regulated migration, while reaffirming respect for national laws, international obligations and human rights.
The agreement on organised immigration crime and border security outlines a three-year strategic plan between the UK Home Office and Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior to combat criminal networks profiting from irregular migration.
Meanwhile, the business visa expansion initiative is designed to ease mobility for legitimate travellers, allowing credible UK-based firms with verified investment interests in Nigeria to access improved visa processes, in line with similar arrangements already available to trusted Nigerian companies operating in the UK.
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