- The Federal Government disclosed that it has the data capacity to identify and apprehend foreigners who overstay their visas in Nigeria
- The Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo disclosed that authorities can track individuals who entered the country over the past decade and determine those violating visa rules
- The government planned to enforce immigration laws against overstayers, noting that Nigerians abroad also face immigration enforcement in other countries
The Federal Government has stated that it now possesses the capability to identify and apprehend foreign nationals who overstay their visas in Nigeria.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known on Thursday, March 5, in Abuja during the 2026 Sectoral Performance Review Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Interior.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the government now has comprehensive data that enables authorities to track individuals who have entered the country over the past decade and determine those who have violated their visa conditions.
He attributed this advancement to the establishment of an Integrated Operations Centre and a Network Operations Centre by the Nigeria Immigration Service.
The minister affirmed that authorities will act against foreigners who overstay their visas, noting that Nigerians abroad are also subject to immigration enforcement in other countries.
“In NIS, I know we are doing a lot already. As of today, we have been able to build our Integrated Operations Centre and the Network Operations Centre, which we never had before,” he said.
“With that, we can access, in the last 10 years, everybody who has entered, where you came from, everything, we have all your records, we have everything, we know the exact people who have overstayed in our country, and we will go after them, with due respect, because, outside of Nigeria, they go after the irregular immigrants and we think we have to protect the sanctity of our borders,” the minister stated.
Tunji-Ojo also advocated reforms across agencies under the ministry, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to enhance transparency and service delivery.
He stressed that government institutions should prioritise citizen protection, particularly for vulnerable groups, and ensure equal access to services without corruption or bureaucratic barriers.
“In NSCDC, it is about protection in an organised and corruption-free manner, where the son of a nobody will have the same opportunity as the son of anybody in government,” he said.
“If you are a businessman or there is a genuine threat to your life, you should be able to access protection without going through the minister, the Commandant General, or anyone else. It is only then that we can truly say we have a service that works for Nigerians.
“Nigeria should not be about selective service delivery. The essence of government is to protect everyone, with greater emphasis on protecting the weakest in society.”
On correctional reforms, he emphasised that rehabilitation must be effective, arguing that repeated returns to custody indicate systemic shortcomings.
“Anybody who goes in there must be reformed and transformed,” he said, adding that reducing recidivism remains a key objective.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, also underscored the importance of accountability in governance, stating that leadership involves “devotion, promises, performance, and impact.”
She noted that agencies under the ministry play crucial roles in citizens’ daily lives and therefore must operate with transparency and efficiency.
The government’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement and border security reflects broader efforts to strengthen regulatory frameworks and ensure compliance with visa policies.
Authorities believe enhanced data systems will improve monitoring of travellers and help identify individuals who remain in the country beyond permitted durations.