The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed that more than 840,000 foreigners are currently overstaying their visas in Nigeria, describing the situation as a major migration concern for the country.
Speaking on Tuesday during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television, the Minister said the figure was uncovered through the Federal Government’s newly upgraded immigration tracking system.
“Just as we have Nigerian overstayers in the UK, Nigeria is also facing the same challenge. As of this morning, our upgraded system shows about 848,290 visa overstayers in Nigeria. These are citizens of different countries residing in Nigeria,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo noted that irregular migration is not unique to Nigeria, stressing that it is a global issue that requires international cooperation. He added that tackling visa overstays would help address crimes linked to illegal migration.
According to him, “addressing visa overstays would help curb related crimes such as human trafficking and smuggling.”
The Minister also spoke on the recently signed migration agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, explaining that it is based on mutual understanding and applies only to Nigerian nationals.
The deal, reached during a recent engagement involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is designed to fast-track the return of Nigerians in the UK without valid immigration status, including failed asylum seekers and convicted offenders, while strengthening cooperation on visa fraud, cybercrime, and other cross-border offenses.
However, Tunji-Ojo dismissed reports suggesting that Nigeria could be made to receive foreign prisoners under the agreement.
“I have seen reports suggesting that prisoners would be brought into Nigeria. This government will not tolerate such. There is no way this administration will sign that kind of agreement,” he stated.
He further clarified that the arrangement is different from controversial third-country asylum policies seen elsewhere, noting that it does not involve relocating foreign nationals or their families to Nigeria.
The Minister assured that Nigerians returned under the agreement “would be treated with dignity” and in line with their fundamental human rights, adding that “no Nigerian stands to lose from the agreement.”
On enforcement, Tunji-Ojo disclosed that the Federal Government has strengthened its ability to monitor and track migration through the Nigeria Immigration Service.
He said the system draws on data collected over the past decade and is supported by the agency’s Integrated Operations Center and Network Operations Center to identify and apprehend visa violators.
