The European Union is set to begin talks with Nigeria to negotiate a deal to return migrants to Africa. The deal is expected to resemble the agreement that the EU has with Turkey. That EU-Turkey deal has significantly slowed migration into Europe from the Middle East.

Word has it, the European Union and Nigeria plan to start negotiations on a deal to return migrants to Africa.  The EU is struggling to handle the rising number of Nigerians applying for asylum in Europe.

According to a recent Financial Times report, the number of Nigerians arriving in Italy from North Africa is up 37 percent this year. The planned deal with Nigeria to take back asylum seekers would be the first of its kind between the EU and a sub Saharan African country.

Last month, the EU signed a similar deal with Turkey. Ankara has promised to retake migrants from Greece if the EU doesn't grant them asylum.

The EU-Turkey deal has been highly controversial. Non profits and international organizations question the legality of the agreement. They say it strips asylum seekers of their rights.