The Federal Government has announced that it now has the capacity to identify, apprehend foreigners who overstay their visas in Nigeria.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the 2026 Sectoral Performance Review Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Interior.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the government now possesses comprehensive data that enables authorities to monitor individuals who entered the country over the past decade, determine those who failed to comply with their visa conditions.
According to him, this development followed the establishment of an Integrated Operations Centre, a Network Operations Centre by the Nigeria Immigration Service.
The minister stated that the new systems have strengthened the government’s ability to track immigration records, enforce visa regulations.
He added that foreigners who remain in Nigeria beyond the validity of their visas will be traced, apprehended, noting that Nigerians who violate immigration rules abroad also face prosecution.
“In the Nigeria Immigration Service, we have achieved significant progress. For the first time, we now have an Integrated Operations Centre, a Network Operations Centre,” he said.
“With these platforms, we can review records of everyone who has entered the country within the last ten years. We know where they came from, we have complete documentation. We also know those who have overstayed their visas, we will take appropriate action while respecting due process. Other countries pursue irregular immigrants, Nigeria must also safeguard the integrity of its borders,” the minister said.
Tunji-Ojo also stressed the need for reforms across agencies under the ministry, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to ensure transparent service delivery, eliminate corruption.
He noted that the primary duty of government institutions is to protect citizens, particularly the most vulnerable members of society.
“NSCDC must provide protection in an organised, corruption free manner where the child of an ordinary citizen has the same opportunity as the child of a powerful official.
“If a businessman or any citizen faces a genuine threat to life, such a person should be able to access protection without seeking personal intervention from the minister, the Commandant General or other top officials. Only then can we truly say the system works for Nigerians,” he said.
The minister added that governance should never be based on selective service delivery, stressing that government must prioritise the protection of all citizens, especially the weakest in society.
Speaking on correctional reforms, Tunji-Ojo said a situation where inmates repeatedly return to custody indicates failure of the rehabilitation system.
“Anyone who passes through the correctional system must be properly reformed, transformed,” he said, noting that efforts are being intensified to reduce cases of repeat offences.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, emphasised the importance of accountability in leadership.
She described leadership as a commitment built on devotion, promises, performance, measurable impact, adding that agencies under the ministry perform critical roles that directly affect the daily lives of Nigerians, must therefore operate with transparency, efficiency.
The renewed move to track foreigners who overstay their visas forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to strengthen border management, enforce immigration regulations across the country.
The initiative is also expected to help immigration authorities monitor travellers more effectively, identify individuals who remain in Nigeria beyond the duration permitted by their visas.
