Nigeria's New Agreement: Accepting Deported Cr!minal and Failed Asylum Seekers from the UK

The Nigerian government has entered into an agreement with the United Kingdom to accept deported failed asylum seekers and convicted criminals, as both nations strengthen their collaboration on migration control and security. The agreement was formalized by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister of the Interior, and Shabana Mahmood, the UK's Home Secretary, during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the UK, as announced by the Home Office on Thursday, March 19. Under this new arrangement, the UK will also have the ability to deport those who have overstayed their visas to Nigeria, providing significant flexibility for British authorities. The deal signifies that the Nigerian government will acknowledge UK-issued letters as identification for individuals without valid passports. This eliminates the need for emergency travel documents before deporting them back to Nigeria. Discussing the deal, Alex Norris, the UK's Border Security and Asylum Minister, emphasized Nigeria's role as a crucial partner in addressing illegal migration. As the UK's largest African visa market, with thousands of Nigerians residing there, it is important that systems and laws are upheld. Norris stated that anyone misusing systems, breaking laws, or attempting to unlawfully enter Britain will face removal. He described the agreement as a step towards re-establishing border order by ensuring swift removal of individuals without the right to remain. Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations responsibly. He expressed that starting this initiative with the UK means a great deal to Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership. He also emphasized the importance of sustaining this relationship for future generations, stating, "He who comes to equity must come with clean hands," suggesting the need for openness and fairness. This enhanced partnership could serve as a model for other bilateral agreements. The arrangement reflects a shared dedication to managing migration safely, fairly, and effectively. Annual deportations to Nigeria have nearly doubled to 1,150, with almost 60,000 illegal migrants and foreign criminals deported from the UK since the 2024 election. Additionally, there’s an agreement to initiate joint operations and share information aimed at combating criminal gangs exploiting visa routes, ensuring all arrivals are legitimate and prepared to contribute positively.

President Tinubu Meets with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street

Nigeria's President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, continues his high-profile State Visit to the United Kingdom by meeting British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, at the iconic 10 Downing Street in London.This significant meeting comes on the heels of his royal engagement at Windsor Castle, where he had a formal audience and attended a State Banquet hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The discussions between Tinubu and Starmer center around deepening bilateral ties across various pivotal sectors. Key topics include enhancing trade relations, addressing security challenges, managing migration, and forging stronger economic collaboration in energy, technology, and infrastructure development. Given the strategic importance of these areas to both nations, the dialogue aims to open doors for mutual progress and long-term partnership. Adding further significance to the visit, Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, is scheduled to take part in a notable event at Lambeth Palace later today. She will be delivering a sermon as part of the series of engagements marking Nigeria's state visit. This act symbolizes the cultural and diplomatic dimension of the presidential trip. President Tinubu's engagements in the UK reflect an effort to elevate Nigeria’s global standing while addressing key areas that can bring about shared benefits for the two countries. As the trip unfolds, close attention is being paid to its developments and anticipated outcomes moving forward.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Set to Preach at Lambeth Palace During UK Trip

Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, is set to deliver a sermon at Lambeth Palace on Thursday, March 19, as part of the programme accompanying President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing state visit to the United Kingdom. Lambeth Palace, the residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury and a prominent hub for the Church of England, will serve as the venue for the event, highlighting both the religious and diplomatic significance of the visit. According to information shared by Agence France-Presse, the First Lady will also engage with representatives of the Church of England during her stay in London. This state visit represents Nigeria’s first official engagement of this kind with the United Kingdom in nearly four decades, aimed at reinforcing political, economic, and cultural connections between the two nations. President Tinubu and the First Lady arrived in London on Tuesday via Stansted Airport, initiating a series of high-level meetings. Their agenda includes discussions with King Charles III and Keir Starmer, along with interactions with members of the Nigerian diaspora.

Nigeria Emerges as Global Leader in USDT and USDC Ownership

Nigeria has emerged as a global leader in the ownership of the world’s two largest stablecoins, Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC), underscoring the nation’s increasing dependence on dollar-linked digital assets. Stablecoins like USDT and USDC are designed to maintain parity with the U.S. dollar, enabling users to store funds digitally while minimizing exposure to the price swings typical of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. The 2026 Stablecoin Utility Report by BVNK reveals that approximately 59 percent of Nigerian crypto holders possess USDT, while 48 percent hold USDC, granting Nigeria the highest combined ownership rate internationally among surveyed countries. Nigeria outpaced several notable economies, including Australia and India, in stablecoin adoption. Australia came second with 34 percent USDT ownership and 29 percent USDC, while India ranked third at 30 percent USDT and 27 percent USDC adoption rates. The report also shed light on stablecoin usage in other regions. Countries like Colombia and Singapore displayed significant adoption of these assets, with usage in South Africa and the United States also showing noteworthy levels. Additional markets assessed included the Philippines, Thailand, and Argentina, where stablecoin usage has grown markedly. In Europe, moderate adoption rates were observed in France and Germany, while Latin American countries such as Mexico and Brazil showed smaller but steadily increasing usage patterns. The United Kingdom was included in the ranking with modest stablecoin ownership levels. The study highlighted that, in many nations—such as Nigeria, Australia, India, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Argentina, and France—USDT is more widely owned than USDC. However, USDC is often regarded as a more compliance-oriented option due to its emphasis on transparency and regulatory alignment. In certain regions—including South Africa, Colombia, Germany, and Brazil—USDC adoption was found to slightly outpace that of USDT. Overall, the data suggests that stablecoin adoption is being driven primarily by emerging economies rather than advanced financial markets. The report pointed out that nations like Nigeria, Argentina, and the Philippines are among the most prominent users of dollar-pegged digital assets, leveraging them to shield savings from currency instability and facilitate cross-border transactions.