Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has disclosed that over 840,000 foreigners are currently overstaying their visas in the country, describing the development as a major migration concern.
Speaking on Television, Tunji-Ojo stated that the figure was derived from Nigeria’s recently upgraded immigration tracking system. “Just as we have Nigerian overstayers in the UK, Nigeria is also facing the same challenge. As of this morning, through our upgraded system, we have about 848,290 visa overstayers in Nigeria. These are citizens of different countries residing in Nigeria,” he said.
The minister noted that irregular migration remains a global issue that requires coordinated international responses, stressing that tackling visa overstays would help curb crimes such as human trafficking and smuggling.
He emphasised the importance of bilateral agreements in managing migration, particularly in ensuring the “dignified return” of individuals without legal residency status. However, he dismissed claims that Nigeria could be pressured into accepting foreign prisoners, stating that such an arrangement would not be entertained by the government.
According to him, the recently signed migration agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom is strictly based on reciprocity and applies only to Nigerian nationals.
Tunji-Ojo maintained that the Federal Government has been transparent about the agreement, clarifying that it does not include the transfer of foreign inmates. He added that the deal differs from the controversial Rwanda asylum model, as it excludes family members and treats each case based on specific legal conditions.
He further assured that Nigerians returned under the arrangement would be treated with dignity and in line with their fundamental human rights, noting that “no Nigerian stands to lose from the agreement.”
The minister also revealed that the government has strengthened its capacity to track and apprehend visa overstayers through data accumulated over the past decade, alongside operations of the Nigeria Immigration Service’s Integrated Operations Centre and Network Operations Centre.
The development follows a migration pact signed earlier in March during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the United Kingdom, aimed at accelerating the return of Nigerian visa overstayers, failed asylum seekers, and convicted offenders, while boosting cooperation on visa fraud, cybercrime, and other transnational crimes.
