The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that it will begin a strict crackdown on irregular migrants in Nigeria starting August 1, 2025.
To allow for compliance, a three-month grace period will be given from May 1 to July 31, during which the new Expatriate Administration System will be implemented.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this announcement on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting with the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association. He stated that an immigration amnesty programme would run for three months to help migrants regularise their status before enforcement begins.
“We agreed that the days when some companies irresponsibly block or avoid immigration laws are over. The private sector understands that, by law, the Immigration Service has a job to do, and they must be allowed to do it,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He warned that any company obstructing the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) from performing its duties would face strict consequences.
The minister also addressed the fees for immigration services, noting that the current charges were unsustainable. He revealed that the government had reviewed and adjusted the fees for certain citizenship and business activities after negotiations with stakeholders. The revised fees will take effect from May 1, 2025, alongside the new administration system.
“We urge people to use this grace period to comply with immigration protocols,” he emphasized.
The crackdown, set to begin on August 1, 2025, is part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen immigration regulations and enforce compliance across the country.
