Key Points
- Federal Government sets August 1 for crackdown on irregular migrants.
- The immigration amnesty period and three-month grace period will start during May 2025.
- Revised immigration fees along with updated systems will begin operation on May 1.
According to the minister of interior this immigration amnesty phase will start in May. The Federal Government plans to launch its nationwide operation against unauthorized migrant residents in Nigeria during August 2025 following three months of immigration pardon.
The minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo declared in his Abuja presentation on Tuesday that the amnesty period offered expatriates three months between May 1 and July 31 to normalize their presence under the Expatriate Administration System. He disclosed the news at his meeting with Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association members.
Government rolls out amnesty window for irregular migrants
The minister stated that the amnesty program for irregular migrants exists to provide every undocumented foreign national with their final chance to uphold immigration regulations. Tunji-Ojo declared that this initiative operates outside of any witch-hunting procedures. The program functions as a well-structured chance to fix the system so that only lawfully present migrants stay in Nigeria.
The new administration structure establishes a web-based platform which simplifies both application and regularization procedures for foreigners entering and staying in Nigeria. Various concerns regarding the aging process and widespread irregularities from both foreign workers and their employers prompted this transition.
Sanctions for defiant companies
Tunji-Ojo issued a clear warning to organizations that routinely inhibit Nigeria Immigration Service from performing their duties. The time has ended when irresponsible businesses avoided immigration regulations according to the Federal Government. Businesses who impede the operations of Nigerian Immigration Service will receive severe penalties.
The Minister insists that the enforcement of the deadline in August will remain firm after the grace period expires and demands corporate bodies to adopt full compliance.
Immigration fees revised after consultations
The ministry leader revealed that current immigration service prices were unfeasible after consulting with stakeholders. A new payment system emerged from negotiations between NECA as well as other stakeholder organizations.
Tunji-Ojo verified that the ministry has completed its review process regarding citizenship and business application charges. The authorities will jointly publish the official fee breakdown through both the ministry and NECA.
The new fee system will start under the new administration technology on 1 May 2025. The migration system modernization spearheaded by Tunji-Ojo aims to adopt international standards in managing immigration in Nigeria.
