The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that it now possesses the technological capacity to identify and apprehend foreigners who overstay their visas in the country, as part of efforts to strengthen immigration enforcement and border management.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Thursday, March 5, in Abuja during the 2026 Sectoral Performance Review Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Interior.
Tunji-Ojo said the development followed the establishment of an Integrated Operations Centre and a Network Operations Centre by the Nigeria Immigration Service, enabling authorities to monitor the movement and records of individuals who have entered Nigeria over the past decade.
According to the minister, the government now has access to comprehensive data detailing travellers’ entry records, including where they arrived from and the duration of their stay. This, he said, makes it possible to identify those who have failed to comply with visa conditions.
“With that, we can access, in the last 10 years, everybody who has entered — where you came from and all your records. We know the exact people who have overstayed in our country, and we will go after them with due respect,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He added that the move is consistent with global immigration practices, noting that Nigerians living abroad are often subject to strict enforcement measures if they violate immigration rules.
“Outside Nigeria, irregular immigrants are pursued. We believe we must also protect the sanctity of our borders,” the minister stated.
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Tunji-Ojo also emphasised the need for broader reforms across agencies under the ministry, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to ensure transparent and corruption-free service delivery.
He stressed that citizens should be able to access protection services without political influence or personal connections.
“Nigeria should not be about selective service delivery,” he said. “The essence of government is to protect everyone, with greater emphasis on the most vulnerable in society.”
Speaking further on correctional reforms, the minister argued that a prison system where individuals repeatedly return to custody reflects a failure in rehabilitation efforts.
He said the government aims to ensure that individuals leaving correctional facilities are reformed and reintegrated into society.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, underscored the importance of accountability and performance in public service.
Ajani said leadership within the ministry must be defined by commitment, measurable results and meaningful impact, noting that agencies under the ministry play crucial roles affecting the daily lives of Nigerians.
The government’s latest move comes amid renewed efforts to strengthen immigration regulations and improve border management systems, enabling authorities to track travellers more effectively and identify individuals who remain in Nigeria beyond the duration permitted by their visas.