By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
MORE THAN 848,290 foreigners are currently overstaying their visas, a situation described as a significant migration challenge by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the minister disclosed this during a guest appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, stating that the figure was obtained through the country’s recently upgraded immigration tracking system.
“Just as we have Nigerian overstayers in the United Kingdom (UK), Nigeria is also facing the same challenge.
As of this morning, Wednesday, through our upgraded system, we have about 848,290 visa overstayers in Nigeria. These are citizens of different countries residing in Nigeria,” he said.
Tunji Ojo also noted that irregular migration remains a global issue requiring international cooperation.
He stated that addressing visa overstays would help curb related crimes such as human trafficking and smuggling.
He stressed the importance of bilateral agreements, particularly in ensuring the dignified return of individuals who no longer have the legal right to remain in a country, while dismissing concerns that Nigeria could be pressured into accepting foreign prisoners.
“I have seen reports suggesting that prisoners would be brought into Nigeria. This government will not tolerate such. There is no way this administration will sign that kind of agreement,” he stated.
Minister Tuni Ojo further explained that the recently signed Nigeria-UK migration agreement is based on reciprocity and applies strictly to only Nigerian nationals.
He emphasised that the Federal Government (FG) has been transparent about the deal and stated that it does not include the transfer of foreign inmates.
He further clarified that the agreement differs from the Rwanda asylum plan, noting that it excludes family members and that each case is treated based on specific legal conditions.
He assured that Nigerians returned under the arrangement would be treated with dignity and in line with their fundamental human rights, adding that no Nigerian stands to lose from the agreement.
JKNewsMedia.com also reports that he also revealed that the FG has strengthened its capacity to track and apprehend visa overstayers through data collected over the past decade and the operations of the Nigeria Immigration Service’s Integrated Operations Centre and Network Operations Centre.
He reiterated that the development follows a migration pact signed earlier in March between Nigeria and the UK during President Bola Tinubu’s visit.
He said it would be recalled that the agreement seeks to fast-track the return of Nigerian visa overstayers, failed asylum seekers and convicted offenders in the UK, while enhancing cooperation on tackling visa fraud, cybercrime and other transnational offences.
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