Nigeria and the UK have reaffirmed their shared commitments to promoting security and prosperity by strengthening cooperation on migration, justice, and security.

Both countries stated this in a communique jointly issued by Nigerian chair Asari Allotey and UK chair Asim Hafeez, at the annual Migration, Justice, and Home Affairs dialogue held on Friday in Abuja. The dialogue follows a Migration Returns memorandum of understanding, which they earlier signed.

The MoU aims to ensure the safe, dignified, and respectful return, readmission, and reintegration of individuals with no legal right to remain in either country. Accordingly, both countries would lead efforts toward a more coordinated global approach to countering illicit financial flows, including reforming global financial centres.

This is expected to reduce the harm to development from illicit finance and improve the regulation of professionals, thereby reducing the risk of kleptocracy.

“The United Kingdom and Nigeria reaffirmed their commitment to deliver agreed mutual priorities. The United Kingdom and Nigeria are committed to jointly monitor progress against commitments made on an ongoing basis and prepare for the next annual MJHA talks to be hosted by the UK in 2026.

“The talks will include contributions and participation from all relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies from Nigeria and the UK,” said the communique.

It said the UK reaffirmed its commitment to partnerships with Nigerian authorities to tackle illicit finance, furthering agreements already made at the Security and Defence Partnership Dialogue.

This includes supporting Nigerian stakeholders in developing a public-private partnership on financial crime and building cross-system capabilities to take action on money laundering and terrorist financing.

“Nigeria and the United Kingdom will continue to collaborate on detection, investigation, and prosecution, addressing illicit finance vulnerabilities. Also, in furthering our operational cooperation, both countries committed to working together to lead efforts toward a more coordinated global approach to countering illicit financial flows.

“This includes reforming global financial centres, reducing the harms to development from illicit finance and improving regulation of professionals enabling kleptocracy,” the communique added.

(NAN)