The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed that more than 840,000 foreign nationals are currently residing in Nigeria beyond the validity of their visas, underscoring what he described as a growing migration concern.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television on Tuesday, the minister said the figures were obtained from the country’s newly enhanced immigration monitoring system, which now offers more accurate data on migration patterns.
He explained that the situation mirrors global trends, noting that Nigeria, like many other countries, is grappling with the issue of visa overstays.
“As of this morning, our upgraded system shows that we have about 848,290 individuals from various countries who have overstayed their visas in Nigeria,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo stressed that addressing irregular migration is essential for national security and requires stronger systems for monitoring and enforcement. He added that individuals without valid residency status are often at risk of exploitation and may be linked to criminal activities such as human trafficking and smuggling.
The minister also called for stronger international cooperation, particularly through bilateral agreements that support the safe and “dignified return” of individuals who no longer have legal permission to remain in a country.
He, however, dismissed speculations that Nigeria might enter into agreements requiring it to accept foreign prisoners, stating that such arrangements would not be considered by the current administration.
“There is no possibility of this government agreeing to any deal that involves bringing foreign inmates into Nigeria,” he said.
Clarifying the recent migration agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, Tunji-Ojo said the deal is strictly reciprocal and applies only to Nigerian citizens.
He maintained that the government has been open about the terms of the agreement, adding that it does not include any provision for the transfer of foreign prisoners into the country.