EU to negotiate with Nigeria to deport citizens

The European Commission said on Wednesday in Brussels that it is ready to start negotiating an agreement with Nigeria to deport Nigerian migrants who do not qualify to stay in the European Union.

The Commission said that the move would ensure that returns are done "rapidly and efficiently." It said the readmission agreement would respect international law.

“The European Commission has just proposed opening negotiations with Nigeria on a readmission agreement,” Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva told a press conference.

“This agreement aims to ensure a rapid and effective process for identifying and returning Nigerian nationals who do not have the right to stay in the European Union.”

The move is similar to a recent agreement EU had with Turkey that is drastically curbing migration flows from the Middle East.

A “readmission agreement” would involve migrants from Nigeria being deported in exchange for EU economic aid for Nigeria.

It would be the bloc’s first major return deal with a sub-Saharan African nation — its only existing one is with island nation Cape Verde.

Around 22,000 Nigerian nationals crossed the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe last year, according to the EU's border agency, Frontex.

The EU only provides international protection to people fleeing conflict or violence. EU member states must still give the green light for the readmission talks with Nigeria to begin.