The United Kingdom and Nigeria agreed to pursue action against visa fraud while supporting legal migration options at annual talks in London on Oct. 6, BusinessDay reported, citing a British High Commission statement.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials met UK Home Office representatives at the annual Migration, Justice and Home Affairs Dialogue. BusinessDay reported that the meeting addressed commitments associated with President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Britain in March 2026.
Officials discussed ways to verify travel documents and protect borders, alongside cooperation on extradition, asset recovery and prisoner transfers. The dialogue also covered migrant returns and reintegration, drug trafficking, organized immigration crime and cyber-enabled fraud.
The British High Commission described the dialogue as a step toward putting earlier political commitments into effect, BusinessDay reported. Its statement also identified safe and dignified migrant returns and measures to prevent abuse of immigration procedures as areas for cooperation. The countries discussed holding people accountable for immigration-related offenses while protecting legitimate travel.
The High Commission characterized Nigeria as a major source of travelers to the UK. The statement placed Nigerian nationals third globally for UK student visas and fifth for work visas, BusinessDay reported. It said the scale of movement made verification and accountability priorities for both governments.
Vicky Seymour, British Deputy High Commissioner, said joint measures should protect legitimate travel and improve safety in both countries. Dunoma Ahmed, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said migration was a visible part of the bilateral relationship and enforcement should be matched with practical legal options. Ahmed linked credible routes for legitimate migrants to the dialogue’s broader aim of advancing security, prosperity and safety for both countries’ citizens, BusinessDay reported.
The governments also backed work on Nigerian visa pathways for prospective investors, according to the outlet.
