Nigeria and the European Union have signed a migration agreement that sets out procedures for returning Nigerian citizens who no longer have legal permission to remain in European member states.
The agreement was signed in Abuja on November 10, 2026, by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner.
The European Union Delegation to Nigeria announced the development, describing it as an important step in the longstanding migration partnership between both parties.
Negotiations on the agreement started in 2016 before gathering fresh momentum during the eighth Nigeria-EU Ministerial Dialogue in March 2026.
Both sides further discussed the arrangement in September during a meeting held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Under the agreement, procedures will be established to identify and return individuals who no longer meet the requirements for entry, stay or residence in EU member states.
Nigeria will also be required to readmit its eligible citizens whose applications to remain in Europe have been rejected, whose visas have expired or who no longer have valid residency status.
The arrangement is reciprocal, allowing European Union nationals who lose their legal right to stay in Nigeria to be returned to their respective countries.
However, the agreement does not mean that all Nigerians living in Europe will be affected. Individuals with valid visas, residence permits or other lawful grounds to remain are not automatically covered by the return arrangement.
Any return must also comply with relevant legal procedures and safeguards.
Ahead of the signing, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, held discussions with Brunner and his delegation on how the agreement would be implemented.
The Interior Ministry said Tunji-Ojo explained that the Federal Government was upgrading its migration and identity management systems to simplify the verification of nationality. He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to fulfil its obligations under the agreement.
Nigeria had also called for wider cooperation beyond the return of irregular migrants.
During the September meeting, Odumegwu-Ojukwu advocated reintegration assistance for returnees, infrastructure support and more opportunities for Nigerians to migrate legally to Europe.
The Interior Ministry disclosed that the EU had made nearly €100 million in additional funding available for broader cooperation on migration and security matters.
Further discussions are expected to cover border management, human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Despite the signing, the agreement must still undergo the required approval procedures within the European Union, including obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, before it can take effect.
