The Federal Government has announced plans for a nationwide crackdown on irregular migrants, unveiled a new artificial intelligence driven monitoring system capable of tracking travellers who have entered Nigeria over the past decade.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the 2026 Sectoral Performance Review Retreat of the Ministry of Interior, saying the system now provides authorities with detailed records that can identify foreigners who have overstayed their visas.
According to the minister, the newly established Integrated Operations Centre and Network Operations Centre within the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) now allow officials to track entry data of travellers spanning the last 10 years.
He explained that the digital infrastructure provides comprehensive records, including the origin of travellers and the duration of their stay, enabling immigration authorities to pinpoint individuals currently residing in the country without valid documentation.
Tunji-Ojo said the government would begin enforcement actions against such individuals while respecting legal procedures, stressing that many countries strictly enforce immigration laws and Nigeria must equally protect the integrity of its borders.
He noted that the transformation of the NIS into a technology-driven agency is part of a broader strategy to strengthen national security.
According to him, the service is evolving beyond its traditional administrative role to become “an internal security enabler and a protector and guardian of our border space.”
The minister also directed the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to reform its operational practices, particularly in the provision of VIP protection services.
“Access to protective services should not be influenced by personal connections or influence-peddling”, Tunji-Ojo stressed.
He said the system must be transparent and equitable so that any Nigerian facing a genuine security threat can receive protection without having to know senior officials within the corps.
The minister further tasked the NSCDC with intensifying its efforts in combating what he described as “economic terrorism,” urging the agency to play a stronger role in safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure.
Turning to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the minister acknowledged progress made in the national identity registration programme but warned that partial success would not suffice for national security goals.
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He said the commission must ensure that every Nigerian is captured in the national identity database, emphasizing that full coverage is essential for effective governance, planning, and security management.
According to him, the absence of a comprehensive identity system creates vulnerabilities that can be exploited for criminal and security threats.
Tunji-Ojo also assured Nigerians that the ministry would remain focused on its security mandate despite the approach of the 2027 general elections.
He said the ministry’s agencies must remain committed to delivering results and warned that underperformance would no longer be tolerated.
The minister stressed that the administration has entered what he described as an “era of business unusual,” where agencies will be held accountable for meeting their operational targets.
The retreat also highlighted the need for reforms within Nigeria’s correctional system, particularly in addressing recidivism.
Tunji-Ojo argued that the repeated return of individuals to correctional facilities reflects a failure of the rehabilitation process.
He stressed that correctional institutions must prioritise reform and reintegration programmes capable of transforming inmates into productive members of society.
According to him, the long-term goal is to significantly reduce repeat offences and ensure that individuals who pass through correctional facilities emerge reformed.
In her remarks, Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, underscored the need for stronger accountability across the ministry’s agencies.
She said effective leadership must be defined by devotion, commitment to promises, measurable performance, and tangible impact.
Ajani noted that the agencies under the ministry interact directly with citizens on a daily basis, making transparency, efficiency, and service delivery critical to maintaining public trust and national stability.
