Under the new arrangement, Nigeria will now accept UK-issued “letters” as valid identification for the first time. These documents are given to people who do not have passports, meaning they will no longer need to wait for emergency travel papers before being deported.

The deal was finalized during Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the UK. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the trip as “historic,” noting it was the first visit by a West African leader in 37 years.

During the visit, the King hosted a formal state banquet at Windsor Castle in honor of President Tinubu and the first lady, highlighting the strong relationship between the two countries. Tinubu also held talks with the prime minister at Downing Street, where both leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade, infrastructure, and sustainable development.

They also pledged closer collaboration on defense and security, particularly in tackling cross-border crime and terrorism.

According to the Home Office, the migration agreement will make it easier to return visa overstayers, foreign offenders, and failed asylum seekers. Returns to Nigeria have already nearly doubled, reaching around 1,150 per year.

Both countries also plan to carry out joint operations and share intelligence to target criminal networks exploiting visa systems. A new standardized process for checking documents will be introduced to detect fraudulent applications, following several high-profile cases involving fake job offers, sham marriages, and forged records.

Nigeria, for its part, has agreed to review its laws to ensure tougher penalties for immigration-related offenses.

UK officials emphasized Nigeria’s importance as a partner in addressing illegal migration, noting it is the UK’s largest visa market in Africa and home to a large Nigerian community.

In a separate development, the two countries agreed on a £746 million deal to upgrade two major ports in Lagos, supported by UK-backed financing. At least 20% of the contracts will go to British companies, with a significant portion allocated to steel exports.

Tinubu’s visit was also notable for taking place during Ramadan—the first such visit by a Muslim leader in nearly a century. Adjustments were made to accommodate his observance, including a prayer space at Windsor Castle and changes to the usual banquet schedule.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, visited Lambeth Palace during the trip.

The visit comes amid ongoing security concerns in Nigeria, following a series of suspected suicide bombings in Borno state that killed at least 23 people and injured more than 100. The attacks are believed to have been carried out by Boko Haram militants.