Over 848,000 visa overstayers recorded in Nigeria, interior minister reveals
Nigeria is grappling with a significant migration challenge, with more than 840,000 foreigners currently overstaying their visas, the interior minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said.
The minister disclosed that the figure was derived from the country’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.
Tunji-Ojo described irregular migration as a global issue that requires coordinated international action, adding that addressing visa overstays would help curb crimes such as human trafficking and smuggling.
He emphasised the need for bilateral agreements, particularly in ensuring the “dignified return” of individuals who no longer have the legal right to remain in a country. However, he dismissed claims that Nigeria could be pressured into accepting foreign prisoners.
“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 said.
The minister explained that the recently signed migration agreement between Nigeria and United Kingdom is based on reciprocity and applies strictly to Nigerian nationals.
He added that the federal government had been transparent about the deal and that it does not include the transfer of foreign inmates. The agreement, he said, differs from the controversial Rwanda asylum plan, noting that it excludes family members and assesses each case based on specific legal conditions.
Tunji-Ojo also assured that Nigerians returned under the arrangement would be treated with dignity and in line with their fundamental human rights, insisting that “no Nigerian stands to lose from the agreement”.
The minister had earlier revealed in March that the government had strengthened its capacity to track and apprehend visa overstayers, using data gathered over the past decade and the operations of the Nigeria Immigration Service’s Integrated Operations Centre and Network Operations Centre.
The development follows a migration pact signed earlier in March between Nigeria and the United Kingdom during the visit of Bola Tinubu. The agreement seeks to fast-track the return of Nigerian visa overstayers, failed asylum seekers and convicted offenders in the UK, while enhancing cooperation on tackling visa fraud, cybercrime and other transnational offences.