The United Kingdom (UK) and Nigeria have signed a wide-ranging three-year strategic plan aimed at strengthening cooperation against organised immigration crime and improving border security.
The agreement was confirmed in a joint statement issued on Thursday by the UK Home Office and was reached during the state visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom.
According to the statement, both governments agreed to expand collaboration to curb organised immigration crime, describing migration and border control as issues of “significant importance” to both countries.
The plan was signed by UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Nigeria’s Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
It sets out a framework to address visa abuse, strengthen legal systems and enhance operational cooperation between both nations.
Under the arrangement, Nigeria has committed to reviewing its legal framework to impose tougher penalties for immigration-related offences, particularly crimes involving forged or falsified documents.
Both countries also plan to widen the legal basis for prosecuting offenders and tighten controls around travel and visa documentation.
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The agreement further provides for the strengthening of the UK–Nigeria Organised Immigration Crime Unit through new Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) covering operational engagement and data sharing.
As part of the deal, the UK will offer training and capacity-building support to Nigerian border agencies, while both sides pledged closer cooperation on protecting vulnerable migrants, including women and children.
The statement added that the plan would involve enhanced research, improved document verification systems and regular oversight through the UK–Nigeria Migration, Justice and Home Affairs Dialogue.
Both governments said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to protecting citizens and reinforcing border systems through cooperation, mutual support and shared understanding.
The immigration pact forms part of a broader set of high-level engagements during President Tinubu’s state visit, which was hosted by King Charles III.
The visit included ceremonial events, a state banquet and strategic meetings with senior UK officials.
It also yielded economic agreements, including a £746 million financing deal to modernise Nigeria’s busiest seaports at Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port.