More than 840,000 foreign nationals are living in Nigeria with expired visas, according to Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. He disclosed the figure, specifically 848,290, during an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday, attributing the data to Nigeria's upgraded immigration monitoring system. The minister described the trend as part of broader global migration challenges, with overstays now a common issue even in developed nations. Tunji-Ojo emphasized that irregular migration poses risks to national security and increases vulnerability to exploitation, human trafficking, and smuggling. He pointed out that undocumented individuals often operate in the shadows, creating enforcement difficulties. To address the issue, he advocated for improved monitoring systems and stronger international cooperation, particularly through bilateral agreements that enable the safe return of overstaying foreigners. On the subject of Nigeria's recent migration pact with the United Kingdom, Tunji-Ojo clarified that it is reciprocal and applies solely to Nigerian citizens. He dismissed claims that the agreement includes provisions for Nigeria to accept foreign prisoners, stating flatly, "There is no possibility of this government agreeing to any deal that involves bringing foreign inmates into Nigeria."
The revelation that nearly 850,000 foreigners are overstaying in Nigeria exposes a long-ignored gap in immigration enforcement, despite the Interior Minister's confidence in new systems. Tunji-Ojo's emphasis on data accuracy and bilateral returns sounds progressive, but Nigerians are yet to see mass deportations or visible border reforms. If the government cannot track or remove hundreds of thousands of overstayers, the real implication is simple: the country's immigration framework remains more theoretical than operational.
