The Federal Government says it has integrated more than 17 million migration records into its automated migration management system, up from over 15 million reported in October, as Nigeria and the European Union (EU) finalise negotiations on a Readmission Agreement.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, during a meeting with the EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, and his delegation in Abuja, ahead of the formal signing of the agreement.
TheFact Daily notes that the latest figure represents an increase of approximately two million records within weeks of the Nigeria Immigration Service reporting that over 15 million records had been integrated into the Border Control and Immigration Management System in October. The ongoing integration of migration data is expected to improve identity verification, border management and the monitoring of travellers’ movements.
Tunji-Ojo described the readmission agreement as a significant step towards strengthening bilateral relations and promoting orderly, dignified and mutually beneficial migration management. Negotiations, which began nearly a decade ago, are aimed at establishing a framework for identifying and facilitating the return of individuals who no longer have legal grounds to remain in either Nigeria or EU member states.
The Minister assured that Nigeria would honour its obligations under the agreement, explaining that the integrated migration database would enable authorities to verify the nationality of persons being returned more quickly and accurately.
He also called for stronger international collaboration and real-time information sharing to tackle human trafficking, migrant smuggling and other cross-border crimes.
In his remarks, Brunner described the agreement as an important milestone in Nigeria-EU relations and expressed the EU’s readiness to deepen cooperation in border management, police collaboration, combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling, as well as expanding legal migration opportunities.
He disclosed that approximately 260,000 Nigerians were legally resident in EU member states.
Another member of the delegation, Johannes Lucher, acknowledged the lengthy negotiations, noting that Nigeria had advocated a broader framework encompassing anti-trafficking measures, anti-drug trafficking cooperation and legal migration pathways.
He disclosed that the EU had made almost €100 million in additional funding available to support broader cooperation, with further discussions expected between Nigerian and EU officials.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening mutual trust and developing practical solutions to shared migration and security challenges.
