The United Kingdom and Nigeria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the return of $9.5 million in looted funds to the Nigerian government. The agreement, signed by the UK’s Attorney General for Jersey, Mark Temple, and the Nigerian government in December 2025, marks a significant step in the UK’s commitment to assisting Nigeria in recovering proceeds of corruption stashed abroad.
The MoU builds on two previous agreements between Jersey and Nigeria, which have already resulted in the repatriation of over $300 million in recovered assets. The UK government has been working with its Crown Dependencies to help Nigeria trace, confiscate, and return looted funds. Under earlier agreements, the UK facilitated the return of recovered funds linked to former Nigerian officials, which were then used to fund critical infrastructure projects, such as the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge.
The latest MoU will see the recovered funds support the completion of the 375-kilometre Abuja-Kano Road project, which links Nigeria’s capital to its second-largest city. The project is part of the Nigerian government’s efforts to improve the country’s infrastructure and boost economic growth. The repatriated funds will be used to complete the project, which is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s economy.
The recovery of the looted funds is a result of a court order granted by the Royal Court of Jersey in January 2024, which determined that the funds were suspicious proceeds of corruption. The court order was applied for by the Attorney General of Jersey under the Forfeiture of Assets (Civil Proceedings) (Jersey) Law 2018. The successful recovery demonstrates the effectiveness of the UK’s civil forfeiture legislation in fighting corruption.
Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, praised the collaboration between Nigeria and its international partners, saying that it underscores the effectiveness of their collaborative efforts in ensuring that there is no safe haven for illicitly acquired wealth. The Nigerian government has assured that the repatriated assets will be judiciously utilized in line with the terms of the MoU.
The return of the looted funds is a significant step in the fight against corruption and demonstrates the commitment of the UK and Nigerian governments to transparency and accountability. The successful recovery and repatriation of the forfeited assets will help to boost Nigeria’s economy and improve the lives of its citizens. The collaboration between Nigeria and its international partners is expected to continue, with a focus on recovering more looted funds and promoting economic growth and development.
