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Our migration deal with UK –FG
The Presidency on Friday explained the recent migration deal he had with the United Kingdom.
There had been hues and cries about what the migration deal entailed.
Some argued that Nigeria had agreed to accept foreign deportees under a newly signed migration agreement with the United Kingdom.
But the Federal government has faulted the claim, explaining that there was no such clause, insisting that the deal strictly covers Nigerian citizens residing illegally in the UK.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said the clarification became necessary amid what he described as widespread misinformation surrounding the agreement.
In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, @TheTope_Ajayi, Ajayi explained that the pact, signed during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent State visit to the UK, is limited in scope and does not oblige Nigeria to receive non-citizens.
He stated that the agreement, executed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of Nigeria, and the UK Home Secretary, Rt. Hon. Shabana Mahmood, for the British government, focuses solely on the return of Nigerians without legal residency status in the UK.
“For clarity, it is important to state that the agreement only relates to Nigerians who do not have legal status to live and remain in the UK,” Ajayi said.
He stressed that Nigeria would not accept deportees who are not its nationals, adding that the UK government is also not imposing such a condition.
“Nigeria is not taking back non-Nigerians. The UK government is not compelling Nigeria to take those who are not our citizens,” he added.
Ajayi noted that the clarification was prompted by the circulation of misleading narratives suggesting that Nigeria had entered into a broader deportation arrangement with the UK.
He further assured that the agreement provides guarantees for the humane treatment of returnees, in line with Nigerian laws and international standards.
According to him, Nigerians returned under the framework would retain the opportunity to reapply for entry into the UK in the future, subject to meeting immigration requirements.
Corroborating the Presidency’s position, the Ministry of Interior said the agreement establishes a structured system for the “dignified return and reintegration of Nigerians who do not have the legal right to remain in the UK.”
In a statement shared on social media, the ministry outlined key features of the arrangement, including the use of secure travel documentation, thorough identity verification on a case-by-case basis, and special protections for vulnerable persons, particularly victims of human trafficking.
The ministry also highlighted provisions for enhanced cooperation between Nigeria and the UK in areas such as information sharing, capacity building, training, and joint research on migration management and border security.
The Federal Government maintained that the agreement reflects a balanced and lawful approach to migration issues, while safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and the rights of its citizens.
Former governor of Bayelsa State and a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, says he is unhappy with the ‘death’ of the once biggest party in Africa, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Dickson, sensing the collapse of the PDP, has defected to the NDC.
The NDC is currently gaining traction with many bigwig politicians joining the party.
The former Bayelsa governor speaking yesterday during an interview on Channels Television said he was sad with on goings in the PDP.
He further disclosed that former Nigerian president, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, “must be sad” that the party, which produced three presidents since the return of democracy in 1999, has been “killed and buried”.
When asked if he consulted Jonathan before the move, Dickson, who is from the same state as the ex-president, said, “What I can say is that President Jonathan, while I’m not his spokesman, must be very sad.
“I know that if I’m sad, having been this attached to the PDP, you can imagine how sad he will be, having been governor, deputy governor, vice president, and president of Nigeria on that platform, and right before your eyes, that platform is evaporating.”
He used the opportunity to introduce his new party to Nigerian saying, “So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it had started some years or months back; we don’t control INEC and their processes. They delayed. We also don’t control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived.”
The PDP is currently embroiled in a deep crisis and may not produce a presidential candidate for the next election.
Despite accusations that the major players in the PDP, like Dickson, are leaving the party, the lawmaker said, “It wouldn’t be correct to say that we are leaving the PDP or that I have left the PDP.
“The PDP, rather unfortunately, has left us, has left me, because the platform has evaporated and ceased to exist.”
The Nigerian Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, clarified the cause of the country’s power supply drop.
For over a week, there have been outages in many parts of the country.
This situation has prompted many to ask: when will it be resolved?
The national grid has collapsed over 100 times despite the trillions of naira invested in the sector. Power failures inflict high economic and social costs, with outages estimated to cost Nigeria around $1billion annually
Recognising what many are passing through in the country as a result of epileptic power supply, Adelabu, on Tuesday, during a press conference, apologised to Nigerians over the current power situation, promising improvements across the country in the coming days.
“I want to apologise to Nigerians, officially now, coming from me as the minister of power, for this temporary issue that is leading to hardship being experienced, especially during this dry season, where there is so much heat everywhere,” he said.
“Businesses are being affected, schools have been affected, and industries have been affected. It is not our wish to find ourselves in this situation, but it is due to some factors that are actually beyond our control.”
The minister explained that the current problem was a result of shortfalls to the generation companies due to the huge amounts of money owed to gas suppliers.
As expected, the current war in the Middle East could further worsen the problems.
The country’s power sector relies on gas-fired plants. But they have continued to face disruptions largely due to inadequate gas supply, pipeline maintenance issues, ageing infrastructure, and liquidity constraints.
“These issues collectively impact both the quantity and quality of gas delivered to power plants, leading to underutilisation of installed generation capacity, increased outages, and inefficiencies in power production,” Adelabu said.
To address this challenge, the minister suggested “scaling up renewable energy solutions, particularly off-grid and mini-grid systems..
“Renewable energy offers a cost-effective and sustainable pathway to expand access without overburdening the national grid,” he said.
He also called for the integration of additional renewable energy into the grid. The minister said this will help diversify energy sources and reduce overall generation costs, particularly by lowering dependence on gas-fired power.
“Integrating utility-scale solar, hydro, and other renewables will also enhance energy security and support climate objectives,” he said.
“This will require investments in grid monitoring and control systems and system planning to effectively manage intermittency while maintaining grid stability.”
In a nation grappling with complex security challenges, deep religious sensitivities and growing calls for justice, the voice of the church continues to resonate across communities. For Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, a cleric with the Church of Christ in Nations, the story is both deeply personal and profoundly national.
In his recent interview with Ryan Miller, which was monitored by The Nation, Dachomo recalled his turbulent past marked by crime and addiction to a life of faith, leadership and advocacy, a journey which reflects a dramatic transformation. Yet, beyond his personal testimony lies a broader narrative—one that speaks to the struggles of many communities, particularly in northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt.
Dachomo’s early years were marked by hardship and instability. Losing his father at the age of six, he drifted through life without direction, eventually falling into crime and substance abuse.
“I lost my mother at the age of six and began living recklessly. I was sleeping on the streets and was an associate of a group of robbers. I lived without God, smoking and drinking heavily. I even remember removing pages of the Bible to wrap Indian hemp. Satan was controlling my life without me even knowing it.”
However, in 1985, he experienced what he described as a life-changing spiritual encounter.
“That moment changed everything. I could no longer go back to my old ways. I turned my life to Christ and began a new journey,” he said.
Despite initial skepticism from those around him, Dachomo said he found acceptance within the church and gradually grew into ministry, focusing on evangelism and youth outreach. Over the years, he rose to leadership, overseeing multiple congregations.
Beyond his personal transformation, Rev. Dachomo has become an outspoken voice on the security situation in Nigeria, particularly in regions such as Plateau State and Southern Kaduna.
According to him, the challenges facing Christian communities are longstanding and deeply rooted.
“This did not start today. There are historical tensions that go back decades. Many communities have faced repeated violence, displacement and marginalisation,” he said.
He described a pattern of attacks that have disrupted lives and livelihoods, forcing many to flee ancestral homes.
Complex web of violence
Dachomo pointed to the activities of multiple armed groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, as well as other factions operating across northern Nigeria.
“There are different groups, and sometimes they even fight among themselves. But ordinary people are the ones suffering the consequences,” he explained.
He noted that the impact is particularly severe in rural communities, where access to security is limited, and attacks often go unreported.
While official figures vary, Rev. Dachomo believes the scale of violence is significantly underreported. “Thousands have been killed, and many more are missing. What you hear publicly is only a fraction,” he said.
He also raised concerns about ongoing abductions and the lack of consistent media coverage. “There are incidents happening even now that many people do not hear about,” he added.
The cleric also expressed concern over what he described as systemic challenges within governance and national institutions.
“Sometimes, it feels like the truth is not fully told. There are issues around representation and trust that need to be addressed,” he said.
He called for greater transparency, fairness and inclusiveness in national systems, particularly within security structures.
Personal loss and pain
In an emotional account, Rev. Dachomo shared his own experiences of loss.
“My grandmother was killed. My uncle, too. My friend’s entire family was burned in their home,” he said.
He described visiting affected communities and witnessing the aftermath of attacks, scenes he said remain deeply etched in his memory. “These are experiences you carry with you for life,” he added.
Despite these painful experiences, Dachomo emphasised the importance of faith and forgiveness.
In one instance, he recounted sheltering individuals from another faith during a crisis. “They came to me for safety, and I protected them. That is what my faith teaches,” he said.
He stressed that the situation should not be reduced to a simplistic narrative of religion alone. “There are good and bad people in every group. What we need is understanding and humanity,” he noted.
Call for unity and global attention
Dachomo urged both Nigerians and the international community to pay closer attention to the situation and support efforts toward peace and rebuilding. “We need unity, justice and sincere leadership. Violence will not solve our problems,” he said.
He also called for humanitarian support for displaced persons and communities seeking to rebuild their lives. “Many people have lost everything. They need help to start again,” he added.
Despite the challenges, Dachomo remains hopeful about Nigeria’s future. “No matter how difficult things are, I believe change is possible. Nigeria can still find peace if we commit to truth and fairness,” he said.
Even in the face of personal risk, he insists on standing firm. “My faith gives me strength. I will continue to speak and stand for what is right,” he declared.
For him, the message is clear: “We have not lost our faith. What we ask is simple—do not ignore us.”
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