The Federal Government has announced plans to identify and take action against foreigners who remain in Nigeria beyond the validity of their visas.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known on Thursday in Abuja during the 2026 Sectoral Performance Review Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Interior.
According to the minister, the government now has the technological capacity to track foreigners who violate visa conditions. He explained that authorities can access detailed records of individuals who have entered the country over the past decade and identify those who failed to leave after their visas expired.
Tunji-Ojo said this capability became possible following the establishment of an Integrated Operations Centre and a Network Operations Centre by the Nigeria Immigration Service.
He noted that the government intends to enforce immigration regulations by going after foreigners who overstay their visas, stressing that many countries also enforce similar measures against irregular migrants.
The minister also highlighted the need for reforms across agencies under the ministry, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to ensure transparent and corruption-free service delivery.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that government institutions must prioritize protecting citizens, particularly the most vulnerable members of society, while also ensuring fairness and equal access to services.
Speaking on correctional reforms, he said the goal of the system should be rehabilitation, noting that repeated returns to custody indicate a failure in reform efforts.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, stressed the importance of accountability in leadership. She described leadership as a commitment to delivering promises, performance, and meaningful impact.
The renewed push to address visa overstays forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to strengthen border management and enforce immigration laws, enabling authorities to monitor travellers’ movements and identify individuals who remain in the country beyond the duration permitted by their visas.
