The European Union (EU) and Nigeria have recently signed a readmission agreement, seeking to strengthen their cooperation when it comes to irregular migration. The agreement will allow the EU to return Nigerian citizens who have entered the EU illegally, and whose residence and asylum applications have been rejected, back to their home country.

The agreement was signed during the visit of the EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, to Nigeria, where he met with Nigerian officials to discuss cooperation between the two countries on migration issues. The readmission agreement is seen as a crucial step in addressing the challenges of illegal migration and the smuggling of human beings.

The EU and Nigeria had already signed a Joint Declaration on Migration in 2016, which aimed to tackle the root causes of irregular migration and provide a better protection for human rights and the dignity of migrants. The readmission agreement builds on the Joint Declaration and will add an operational dimension to that partnership, ensuring that those who are not eligible to stay in the EU will be returned home in a safe and dignified manner.

The agreement also includes measures to enhance cooperation on legal migration procedures, such as facilitating the issuance of travel documents and the exchange of information between the two parties. It also aims to strengthen the capacity of Nigerian authorities in managing borders, combating smuggling and trafficking in human beings, and fighting against irregular migration.

This agreement is significant for both the EU and Nigeria. For the EU, it is part of its efforts to address the challenges of illegal migration and to ensure that its migration policy is in line with the principles of human rights and dignity. For Nigeria, it is an opportunity to work with the EU to improve the management of migration, to protect its citizens who may have been exploited during their journey and, ultimately, to tackle the root causes of irregular migration.

In conclusion, the readmission agreement signed between the EU and Nigeria is a positive step towards addressing the challenges of illegal migration and protecting the rights of migrants. It reflects the commitment of both parties to work together to find practical solutions to the complex issue of migration. As the implementation of the agreement begins, it is important that all stakeholders work together to ensure its success.