The Federal Government has said it now has the capacity to identify and apprehend foreign nationals who overstay their visas in Nigeria, warning that those violating immigration rules will face enforcement actions.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this during a sectoral performance review in Abuja, noting that the government has established an Integrated Operations Centre and a Network Operations Centre to track individuals who entered the country over the past decade.
According to the minister, the new system allows authorities to access detailed immigration records, including where travellers entered from and their visa status. He said the government now knows who has overstayed in the country and will go after them in accordance with the law.
The move forms part of wider reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s immigration system and ensuring better monitoring of foreign nationals residing in the country.
Under the revised immigration rules, foreigners who overstay their visas may face daily fines, deportation, and re-entry bans that can last up to 10 years, depending on the duration of the overstay.
Authorities say the crackdown is intended to protect national security, improve migration control, and ensure that expatriates and visitors comply with Nigeria’s visa regulations.
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