The Federal Government has announced the commencement of a nationwide enforcement exercise targeting foreign nationals who have overstayed their visa or breached immigration conditions in Nigeria.
Beginning today, October 1, 2025, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) will conduct checks across airports, seaports, border posts, and within communities to identify and deport individuals violating the country’s immigration laws.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Interior, the clampdown is part of renewed efforts to strengthen national security, safeguard Nigeria’s labour market, and enforce the integrity of its visa and residency system.
“The era of impunity in visa compliance is over,” the statement read. “Foreign nationals who have abused the privilege of Nigerian hospitality by overstaying their visas or violating entry permits will be dealt with according to the law.”
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NIS spokesperson, Deputy Comptroller Tony Akerele, told reporters in Abuja that thousands of foreigners are currently residing in the country illegally, with some engaging in criminal activities or displacing Nigerians from job opportunities. “We cannot fold our hands and watch our immigration system undermined. Starting today, officers have been deployed nationwide to carry out strict enforcement,” he said.
The crackdown will involve random checks in major cities, especially Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt, as well as industrial zones with large concentrations of expatriate workers. Immigration officials will also work with law enforcement agencies to arrest offenders and prosecute those found guilty of related crimes.
Akerele stressed that the exercise is not targeted at any specific nationality but aimed at ensuring that Nigeria’s borders remain secure. “This is about compliance and fairness. Foreign nationals are welcome, but they must respect our laws just as Nigerians abroad are expected to obey the laws of their host countries,” he explained.
The move comes amid growing concerns over insecurity, human trafficking, and unregulated migration. Officials say overstayers often become vulnerable to exploitation, while others engage in cybercrime, smuggling, and illegal mining.
Reactions have already started pouring in from the diplomatic community and civil society. Some foreign embassies have urged their nationals to check their immigration status and regularise their papers immediately. Human rights groups, however, have cautioned that enforcement must be carried out “with dignity and without discrimination.”
The Ministry of Interior assured that due process would be followed, with opportunities for voluntary departure before arrests are made. “Those willing to leave peacefully will be allowed to do so without unnecessary harassment,” the ministry noted.
Observers say the development reflects Nigeria’s determination to align with global immigration practices, where overstaying visas is considered a serious violation. Countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and South Africa impose heavy penalties on offenders, including deportation and travel bans.
As the exercise begins, analysts expect it will test the NIS’s capacity to balance strict enforcement with respect for human rights, especially in a nation with extensive land borders and a diverse foreign population.
For now, immigration officials have advised all foreigners residing in Nigeria to ensure that their visas, work permits, and residence documents are valid to avoid penalties.