Nigeria Records Over 840,000 Visa Overstayers, Says Interior Minister
- Apr 1
- 1 min read
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed that more than 840,000 foreign nationals are currently residing in the country beyond the validity of their visas, raising fresh concerns about immigration compliance and border control.
The minister disclosed the figure during a televised interview on Tuesday, explaining that the data was generated from the country’s recently upgraded immigration tracking system. He noted that the issue of irregular migration is not limited to Nigerians abroad, but also affects Nigeria internally through foreign nationals who fail to regularise their stay.
According to him, the number of visa overstayers has reached approximately 840,290, describing the situation as significant and requiring coordinated enforcement measures.
His comments come amid ongoing public debate over Nigeria’s migration partnership with the United Kingdom, which has drawn scrutiny from various quarters.
Addressing the concerns, Tunji-Ojo clarified that the bilateral agreement is rooted in mutual cooperation and reciprocity, rather than any obligation for Nigeria to accept foreign prisoners or asylum seekers.
He explained that the arrangement focuses on the lawful return of individuals who no longer have legal residency rights in either country, in line with established international migration protocols.
The minister further stated that the agreement is designed to promote safe and orderly migration, while strengthening efforts to combat human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants.
He added that the partnership would also support Nigeria in addressing the challenge of visa overstayers within its borders, while ensuring that Nigerians returned from the UK are treated with dignity and respect.
Tunji-Ojo emphasised that the framework includes provisions safeguarding the rights of returnees, including humane treatment and non-discriminatory processes, reflecting a shift from past deportation practices.
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