Nigeria, UK Agree New Visa Pathways for Businesses, Crackdown on Fraud

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria and the United Kingdom have agreed to develop new visa pathways for businesses seeking to invest in Nigeria while strengthening cooperation to tackle visa fraud, organised immigration crime and other cross-border offences.

The agreements followed the annual UK-Nigeria Migration, Justice and Home Affairs Dialogue held in London on October 6, as both countries seek to translate commitments made during President Bola Tinubu’s State Visit to the UK in March 2026 into practical measures.

The talks were jointly chaired by senior officials from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UK Home Office, with discussions covering legal migration, border management, document verification, criminal justice and the return and reintegration of migrants.

The two countries agreed to support the development of Nigerian visa pathways for businesses looking to invest in Nigeria, in line with a commitment made during the State Visit.

They also pledged to strengthen cooperation on tackling organised immigration crime and visa fraud, improving document verification and border security, and supporting safe and dignified migrant return and reintegration.

Other areas of cooperation include extradition, asset recovery, prisoner transfers, cyber-enabled fraud and drug trafficking.

Speaking after the dialogue, Ms Vicky Seymour, British Deputy High Commissioner, said the partnership was delivering practical results on issues affecting both countries.

“The UK-Nigeria partnership is delivering practical results on issues that matter to both our countries. Building on the momentum of President Tinubu’s State Visit, we are turning political commitments into action that benefits citizens in both our countries, from tackling visa fraud and organised immigration crime to strengthening border security and supporting safe and dignified return and reintegration,” she said.

“Our goal is simple: protect legitimate travellers, tackle those who abuse our systems and make both our countries safer,” she added.

According to the statement, Nigeria is the third-largest source of UK student visa recipients globally and the fifth-largest source of UK work visa recipients, according to the statement, making cooperation on legitimate travel and immigration enforcement a key part of bilateral relations.

Mr Dunoma Umar Ahmed, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said migration remained a significant aspect of relations between the two countries, requiring a balance between enforcement and opportunities for legal movement.

“Migration remains one of the most important and visible aspects of the UK-Nigeria relationship. This dialogue must both cover enforcement activities as well as ensuring meaningful opportunities for legal migration, and credible opportunities for pathways for legitimate migrants,” Mr Ahmed said.

He added that the dialogue was intended to strengthen security, prosperity and safety in both countries.

“The MJHA Dialogue is ultimately about strengthening the security, prosperity, and safety of our nations and citizens,” he said.

The latest agreements build on efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation following Tinubu’s State Visit, with both governments committing to jointly monitor progress on the measures agreed.

Nigeria is expected to host the next annual Migration, Justice and Home Affairs Dialogue in 2027.