- The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that the Federal Government now possesses the technological capacity to identify and track every foreigner who has entered Nigeria over the past decade.
- Through the newly established Integrated Operations Centre and Network Operations Centre, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) can now pinpoint exactly who has violated their visa conditions and remained in the country illegally.
- The Minister emphasized that Nigeria will no longer tolerate irregular migration, noting that the government is committed to protecting the sanctity of its borders just as other nations do.
The Federal Government has declared a crackdown on foreign nationals who have overstayed their permitted time in Nigeria.
Eko Hot Blog reports that speaking at the 2026 Sectoral Performance Review Retreat in Abuja on Thursday, March 5, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo revealed that the days of anonymous overstaying are over.
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He disclosed that the government has successfully built a comprehensive data infrastructure that catalogs the records of every traveler who has crossed Nigerian borders in the last ten years.
Tunji-Ojo stated that the establishment of the Integrated Operations Centre and the Network Operations Centre marks a turning point for the Nigeria Immigration Service.
This new system allows authorities to see exactly where a traveler originated, their entry point, and their current compliance status.
“We know the exact people who have overstayed in our country, and we will go after them,” the Minister asserted, adding that Nigeria must be as diligent in enforcing its immigration laws as other countries are when dealing with irregular Nigerian migrants abroad.
Beyond immigration, the Minister touched on broader reforms within the ministry’s agencies, particularly the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
He advocated for a transparent, corruption-free system where security and protection services are accessible to all Nigerians based on genuine need rather than political connections or social status.
Tunji-Ojo stressed that government institutions must prioritize protecting the most vulnerable members of society to truly fulfill their mandate.
The Minister also addressed the state of the Nigerian correctional system, arguing that a high rate of repeat offenders is a clear sign of a failing rehabilitation process.
He insisted that anyone entering custody must undergo a genuine transformation to ensure they can reintegrate into society as productive citizens.
Supported by Permanent Secretary Magdalene Ajani, who emphasized accountability and impact in leadership, the Ministry’s new stance signals a comprehensive shift toward data-driven enforcement and institutional transparency across all its departments.
