…Initiative aimed to remove bottlenecks, curb abuses
The Ministry of Interior has rolled out a series of sweeping reforms aimed at enhancing the country’s immigration system, improving expatriate management, and ensuring the transparent processing of business permits.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, revealed the extensive changes during an engagement with members of the organised private sector, including Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and others in Lagos on Friday.
The reforms, which will take full effect starting on May 1, are designed to sanitise Nigeria’s expatriate employment system, curb abuses, and create a more business-friendly environment.
E-Visa to simplify access for legitimate travellers
In a bid to streamline the visa process and reduce delays, the Ministry has introduced an e-visa platform starting May 1. Tunji-Ojo highlighted that the new system would ensure visa issuance to qualified applicants within 48 hours, eliminating the need for long waits at Nigerian embassies abroad.
“Visa is no longer just a tool for immigration control, it’s a tool for economic growth,” the minister said. “We are introducing an e-visa system to make it easier for legitimate travelers to access Nigeria, especially for short-term business engagements.” He added that this move would particularly benefit business travelers who often miss opportunities due to bureaucratic delays.
Read also: Tunji-Ojo curbs passport racketeering to ease access
Automation of expatriate quota and immigration permits
Another major reform is the complete automation of the Expatriate Quota and Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) application processes. This transition to an online system, which will also go live in May, is aimed at eliminating paperwork, reducing corruption, and ensuring transparency.
“The era of going to the bank, buying forms, and physically submitting documents is over,” Tunji-Ojo declared. “Everything will be processed online, with QR-coded digital copies and backend integration with security systems to verify criminal records and immigration history.”
Tunji-Ojo emphasised that the reforms are necessary to curb the widespread abuse of the expatriate quota system, citing examples of quotas being approved for positions like drivers and waiters, roles that he insists can be filled by Nigerians.
“How can a company ask for a quota to bring in a driver?” he asked rhetorically. “We are not against expatriates, but the quota system must be used strictly where there’s no local expertise.”
To further address these abuses, the minister announced that companies would now be required to submit progress reports on expatriate understudies to ensure knowledge transfer to Nigerian workers. Also, quotas will be subjected to stricter scrutiny, with the ministry enforcing a mandatory expatriate understudy scheme.
Mandatory expatriate insurance and CERPAC proration
As part of the reforms, the government will also introduce a mandatory expatriate insurance scheme, which will cover repatriation and personal liability.
“No country in the world uses its infrastructure money to repatriate expatriates,” Tunji-Ojo said, adding, “We are aligning with global best practices.”
The insurance scheme aims to shift the financial burden of repatriating foreign workers back to the private sector.
Furthermore, to ease the cost burden on businesses, the government will introduce prorated CERPAC payments for short-term workers.
“If you are working in Nigeria for three months, you won’t need to pay for a full year,” Tunji-Ojo explained. “The goal is to make the system fair for both businesses and regulators.”
Digital landing and exit cards to combat immigration abuse
In another effort to modernise immigration processes, the Ministry has also replaced physical landing and exit cards with a digital system. The new system requires travelers to complete their landing and exit cards online before arrival or departure.
“Before boarding any flight to Nigeria, all travellers must fill out their landing cards online,” Tunji-Ojo explained. “The airlines will be mandated to check this, just like we did during COVID-19.”
This digital initiative will not only streamline the immigration process but also allow for long-term data storage, providing better security and planning. “We cannot keep relying on paper cards in a 5G era. We’re doing what Singapore, Taiwan, and other countries already do,” Tunji-Ojo said.
The digital system will also help track visa compliance and prevent overstays. “People come to Nigeria for two-week tourism and end up working here for three years. That must stop,” he added.
Visa overstay penalties and amnesty window
Tunji-Ojo announced that the government will enforce penalties for visa overstays starting August 1, 2025. Those who overstay their visas will face a fine of $5 per day and entry ban long period. However, there will be a three-month amnesty period, starting from May 1, for overstayers to regularise their status, pay any outstanding fines, or exit the country without penalty.
“If you overstay and your visa allows for penalties, you’ll pay. If not, you may face entry ban,” the minister warned. He emphasised that the reforms aim to promote fairness and security for both expatriates and Nigerian citizens.
Commitment to national unity and economic prosperity
Tunji-Ojo concluded his remarks by reiterating the government’s commitment to fostering a prosperous and united Nigeria. He stressed that the reforms are part of a broader effort to protect the nation’s interest, ensure fair representation, and boost Nigeria’s economic growth.
“Our relationship with the private sector must be symbiotic, not parasitic,” Tunji-Ojo said. “National interest is fundamental, and we cannot mortgage the future of our young population for today’s convenience.”
He also highlighted that, according to government data, fewer than 50,000 expatriates are currently registered in Nigeria, far below the actual number. This discrepancy, he said, is due to gaps in tracking and enforcement.
Tunji-Ojo concluded by urging the private sector to cooperate with the government in ensuring the success of these reforms. “This is the only country I have. The only passport my children carry is Nigerian. So I have a duty to protect the integrity of this nation.”
Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde, director-general of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), in his welcome address praised the minister for the reforms.
Oyerinde emphasised the need for streamlined processes, focusing on business permit and visa applications. He also encouraged businesses to use the three-month amnesty period to regularise their processes to avoid penalties.
“We must prioritise homeland security,” Oyerinde said. “This is the only country we have, and while challenges exist, the ministry is making steady progress. It’s our collective responsibility to support them in achieving further milestones.”
