The three countries share long-standing partnerships, common values, and a strong commitment to safe, fair, and transparent migration pathways.

They work closely together on immigration, border integrity, and security issues, and this campaign builds on the collective outcomes of the Five Country Ministerial.

It reflects their shared dedication to strengthening global cooperation and ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background, nationality, gender, or economic status, can pursue legitimate travel opportunities without fear of exploitation.

Protecting People. Strengthening Systems. Promoting Safer Migration.

Launched during International Fraud Awareness Week (16–22 November), the #FightingVisaFraud initiative marks an unprecedented level of collaboration among the governments to address a global challenge that affects millions.

Visa fraud has become increasingly sophisticated, with criminal networks targeting people seeking education, work, family reunification, or safer opportunities abroad.

These scams do not discriminate, students, skilled workers, families, and vulnerable individuals are frequently misled by false promises.

Victims are often told they can obtain guaranteed visas, jobs without proper qualifications, or expedited processing in exchange for high fees.

Instead, many face financial loss, visa refusals, legal consequences, travel bans, or, in the most tragic cases, trafficking and exploitation.

The three countries have identified common patterns of fraudulent activity affecting visa applicants.

‘This campaign represents our shared commitment not only to safeguarding the integrity of our immigration systems but also to protecting people from harm and supporting safe, legitimate migration routes.

Leadership Statements

Dr. Richard Montgomery, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, emphasized the human impact of visa fraud:

“Visa fraud destroys dreams and devastates families. Criminal facilitators prey on people’s legitimate aspirations for a better life, stealing their money and putting them at risk of serious harm. Through this joint campaign with our international partners, we are sending a clear message: use only official channels, verify all advice, and report suspicious activity. The UK welcomes legitimate visa applications through proper routes, but those who attempt fraud face serious consequences, including 10-year travel bans.”

Mr. Pasquale Salvaggio, Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, highlighted the shared responsibility to protect people:

“Canada is committed to working with our international partners to combat visa fraud and protect people from exploitation. This campaign reflects our shared values and determination to maintain fair, secure immigration systems while supporting those who seek to travel, study, or work through legitimate pathways.”

How Prospective Applicants Can Stay Safe

To support individuals and communities navigating visa processes, the UK, Canada, and Australia strongly encourage all prospective applicants to:

• Use only official government websites for information and application processes
• Verify that any immigration adviser or consultant is properly registered and regulated
• Be cautious, no one can guarantee a visa
• Watch out for warning signs such as:
  • demands for excessive or upfront fees
  • pressure to make quick payments
  • offers to bypass standard requirements
  • promises of employment without required qualifications
• Report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities

These steps help ensure safer migration decisions and protect families and communities from avoidable risks.

Where to Find Legitimate Information

• United Kingdom – check here.
• Canada: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada – Canada.ca
• Australia: Department of Home Affairs – homeaffairs.gov.au

Consequences of Visa Fraud

Attempting to obtain a visa through fraudulent means carries serious consequences, including:

• visa refusals and long-term travel bans (up to 10 years)
• financial loss with no recovery options
• potential criminal prosecution
• increased exposure to human trafficking and forced labour
• long-term damage to immigration records

“Our governments work together and with international law enforcement partners to detect, investigate, and prosecute individuals and networks engaged in fraudulent immigration facilitation”, their joint statement reads.

If You Suspect Visa Fraud or Believe You Are a Victim

• United Kingdom: Report online via Action Fraud – (Action Fraud provides a national fraud reporting and advice centre for individuals and small businesses.)

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During the two-day visit, the High Commissioner visited the Abia State Governor,  Alex Otti where they discussed prosperity opportunities and future priorities that could be beneficial to the state and the UK.

Together with the Governor, the High Commissioner attended the graduation ceremony of the State-Level Inclusive Digital Transformation Programme funded through the UK’s Digital Access Programme (DAP).

The programme is designed to bridge the digital skills gap by delivering relevant and applicable digital skills for the state’s civil servants.

The High Commissioner also visited the Geometric Power Company, met the team developing the Abia Innovation Industrial Park, and the Aba Chamber of Commerce.

He also toured an industrial fair showcasing small and medium scale manufacturers. Discussions focused on the opportunities for growth and partnerships with UK businesses where possible. He sought their insights and advice on efforts to advance UK investment in the state.

The UK delegation included the UK’s Country Director for the Department for Business and Trade, Mark Smithson, and the British High Commission’s Political Counsellor, Tom Burge.

They also visited the National War Museum in Umuahia which showcases the history of Nigeria.

At the end of the visit, the British High Commissioner, Dr. Richard Montgomery, said:

“Visiting Abia State for the first time was a great opportunity to engage and interact with key stakeholders.

 “Abia state is key to boosting Nigeria’s economic prosperity and the UK is committed to driving that growth.

 “We very much want to develop our partnership – both with the state government and the good people of Abia State – to enhance prosperity in the region.”

Mark Smithson, the UK’s country director for the Department for Business and Trade, said:

“The UK’s Department for Business and Trade in Nigeria is well placed to support the Abia State government and the private sector to drive trade in the state.

“We look forward to building on discussions we had, strengthening our ties and exploring areas of collaboration and partnerships to boost trade, and deliver prosperity to both our countries.”

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The discussions reaffirmed the strong relationship between Nigeria and the UK, with commitments made across a range of priority areas of mutual interest.

The commendable collaboration between the 2 nations on migration and countering criminality in all its forms was acknowledged.

In this spirit of collaboration, there was agreement to raise awareness within each country of our respective internal systems and cultures.

Regarding serious and organised crime, Nigeria and the UK expressed mutual appreciation for ongoing efforts to prevent vulnerable young people from being engaged in criminality, intercepting and disrupting organised crime groups trafficking people and illicit commodities, as well as new opportunities to work together to combat online fraud.

Both parties recognised the improved engagement and information sharing between our respective governments and high commissions.

They committed to proactively engage with relevant authorities to resolve outstanding issues as well as promoting their joint work to the public.

The significance of returning nationals with no right to remain in each other’s territories was mutually agreed, facilitated by the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding on Migration Partnership.

Both sides (UK-Nigeria) pledged to explore a deeper migration partnership and welcomed progress towards a criminal record data-sharing arrangement through technical working groups, the latest of which took place on 20 March 2024.

This work will form the foundations for a deeper relationship on criminal records data sharing.

The collaborative efforts of Nigeria and the UK on these issues underscore our shared commitment to tackling crime and destabilising factors directly, highlighting the depth of the relationship between the 2 countries.

Both nations committed to further meetings to assess progress against the commitments made ahead of the next annual talks and ongoing regular engagement between the Nigerian High Commission and the UK Home Office in London.

The next annual Migration, Justice, and Home Affairs talks, hosted by Nigeria, will take place in 2025 and will include contributions and participation from all relevant ministries, departments, and agencies from Nigeria and the UK.

Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, said:

“I am pleased that the UK/Nigeria partnership continues to grow, including on important issues of migration and countering criminality in all its forms.

“Last week we reaffirmed our commitment to work closely together to disrupt organised crime groups who facilitate illicit trafficking, tackle illegal migration, and ensure those with legitimate travel continue to visit our respective countries. 

“We look forward to building our partnership further on areas of mutual interest and ultimately making our countries safer for citizens.”

The post UK-Nigeria Migration, Justice, and Home Affairs dialogue 2024 Key Messages appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

“As security challenges around the world grow, it has become increasingly crucial to support our allies to uphold regional and international peace.

“The UK reaffirmed our commitment to Nigeria, building on progress made since the last UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership dialogue, from tackling-terrorism and countering violent extremism to defending against cyber-attacks.

“I extend my sincere appreciation to the Government of Nigeria for their partnership and look forward to continuing to deep our cooperation across our Security and Defence Partnership”

The full communique is available via this link.

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The UK Government invested more than £300 million delivering programmes and peacekeeping to bolster African nations’ stability and security last year, to the benefit of people in Africa and the UK.

Baroness Lucy Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG, minister of State in the UK Cabinet Office, is in Nigeria to cement the UK-Nigeria partnership and demonstrate the UK’s commitment to the security of the wider region.

She will see first-hand the impact funding is having in Nigeria and how the two countries are tackling shared security challenges in West Africa, particularly the threat posed by cyber-attacks.

The visit comes days after the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership talks where the two countries reached agreements on cybersecurity, defence cooperation, counter-terrorism, human rights and civil-military cooperation.

As part of the investment, more than £15 million went to strengthening Nigeria’s security. which, as a result of the UK’s direct support, benefitted Nigerian and British nationals by detecting and seizing more than 3 tonnes of illegal drugs.

In North Eastern Nigeria, UK funding has also helped more than 500 people fleeing violent groups re-settle into communities.

It supported vocational training, religious counselling, psycho-social support, drug counselling and numeracy and literacy lessons.

The UK and Nigeria’s cooperation on regional threats to stability included the contribution from the UK to UN efforts to stabilise communities in the Lake Chad Basin after a decade of violence by extremist groups.

Almost 11 million people across Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger have been affected by this violence so the support provided is vital.

Speaking in Abuja Minister of State Baroness Neville-Rolfe said:

“The United Kingdom and Nigeria are firm security and economic partners. I am proud that, through the CSSF, the UK has been able to play such a valuable role in bolstering Nigeria’s security.

“Investment in Nigeria and the broader region has been instrumental in tackling some important challenges, from drug smuggling to cybercrime and human displacement. These challenges are transnational, so by supporting our partners in Nigeria and West Africa we are also helping to safeguard people in the UK.

“Closer collaboration is vital in ensuring we can respond to threats and to promote a free, open, peaceful and secure cyberspace, which is why the UK and Nigeria recently committed to working more closely together to tackle cybercrime.

“As the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria’s stability and security is vital to the security of the wider region and the UK. I look forward to our partnership strengthening as we continue to work together on shared challenges in the years ahead.”

Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commission to Nigeria, said:

“I am delighted that the UK/Nigeria partnership continues to grow stronger, including on important issues of security and stability. The UK will remain a committed friend, working with the Nigerian Government to respond effectively to domestic and regional security challenges.   

“The UK’s Conflict, Security, and Stability Fund offers practical assistance that is making a real difference in Nigeria, from tackling human traffickers to supporting the resettlement of people fleeing violent groups in the northeast of the country. The UK is proud to stand with Nigeria as a close partner in these endeavours.

“We look forward to developing our partnership further, working together to tackle mutual challenges including cyber threats, serious organised crime, and violent extremism.

Bolstering Nigeria’s and other West African countries’ resilience to cybercrime is a central aim of the UK’s investment in the region.

Last year, the UK contributed funding to the Africa Joint Operations Against Cybercrime and strengthened the capability of African law enforcement agencies to fight cybercrime.

The funding enabled the 25-country Africa Cyber Surge II operation, resulting in the arrest of 14 suspected cybercriminals and identified 20,674 suspicious cyber networks, linked to financial losses of more than $40 million.

The UK is also supporting capacity building for Nigerian judges and prosecutors across Nigerian states to support investigations involving digital evidence and to successfully prosecute and deter cyber offences.

During the recent UK-Nigeria Security & Defence Partnership talks, the UK Deputy National Security Advisor and the Nigerian National Security Advisor signed a memorandum of understanding on cyber cooperation that commits the two nations to closer working to tackle mutual cyber threats.

Further support from the UK this year will integrate overseas and UK security and further tackle transnational challenges such as smuggling, illicit finances and large-scale migration.

It will strengthen the UK’s ability to export world-leading expertise to international partners such as Nigeria and other West African countries.

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