The Nigerian government has announced that it will begin a crackdown on irregular migrants in the country from August 1.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this during a meeting with the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) on Tuesday in Abuja.
Tunji-Ojo stated that the federal government has granted a three-month grace period for irregular migrants, starting from May 1, to enable them to regularise their status in line with established immigration protocols.
“By August 1, there will be a strict clampdown on irregular immigrants in the country. We hope that people will take advantage of the three-month grace period to comply with immigration laws,” he said.
He also revealed that the new Expatriate Administration System (EAS) will commence on May 1, with enforcement beginning on August 1. As part of this transition, an immigration amnesty programme will run for three months to facilitate the regularisation of due processes.
The minister warned that the federal government will no longer tolerate companies obstructing the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) from carrying out its legitimate duties.
“We have agreed that the era where certain companies act irresponsibly by obstructing, blocking, or evading immigration laws is over. The private sector acknowledges that the NIS has a legal right to enforce immigration policies, and we will take decisive action against any company that attempts to prevent the agency from carrying out its duties,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
Additionally, he mentioned a review of fees associated with specific citizenship and business-related activities, with details to be officially announced soon.
