The Federal Government has disclosed that about 848,290 foreigners are currently overstaying their visas in Nigeria, raising concerns about irregular migration and potential national security risks.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the revelation during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television, explaining that the figures were obtained through the country’s recently upgraded immigration tracking system.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
According to the minister, the data shows that hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals from different countries have remained in Nigeria beyond the validity of their visas.
Tunji-Ojo described the situation as a serious migration challenge that the government is working to address.
The minister noted that visa overstays are not unique to Nigeria, adding that several countries around the world also face similar immigration challenges.
He cited the United Kingdom, where some Nigerian nationals have reportedly overstayed their visas as well.
Tunji-Ojo stressed that addressing irregular migration is important for improving national security.
He explained that uncontrolled migration can contribute to crimes such as:
• Human trafficking
• Smuggling operations
• Visa fraud
• Cybercrime
The minister emphasized the need for stronger international cooperation and bilateral agreements to tackle these issues effectively.
Tunji-Ojo also responded to public concerns about the recent migration agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
He clarified that the deal does not involve transferring foreign prisoners into Nigeria.
According to him, the agreement is based strictly on reciprocity and applies mainly to Nigerian nationals abroad, including:
• Visa overstayers
• Failed asylum seekers
• Convicted offenders
“The government will not tolerate any arrangement that involves bringing foreign inmates into Nigeria,” the minister said.
The minister added that Nigeria has significantly improved its ability to track visa violations through data collected over the past decade.
He said the Nigeria Immigration Service’s Integrated Operations Center and Network Operations Center are now helping authorities monitor migration patterns and identify offenders.
The migration pact, signed earlier in March during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the United Kingdom, aims to strengthen cooperation on:
• Migration management
• Visa compliance
• Tackling transnational crimes
As Nigeria intensifies efforts to combat visa abuse and irregular migration, analysts say effective enforcement will be key to addressing the issue.
