By: Ubong Usoro The Nigerian government recently issued a directive to all foreigners who have overstayed their visas until August 1, 2025, to either regularise their stay or leave the country. Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the announcement, said the ministry has opened a window for compliance, adding that anyone who fails …
FG’S Deadline for Visa Overstayers Draws Mixed Reactions
By: Ubong Usoro
The Nigerian government recently issued a directive to all foreigners who have overstayed their visas until August 1, 2025, to either regularise their stay or leave the country.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the announcement, said the ministry has opened a window for compliance, adding that anyone who fails to regularise by August 1 will face penalties.
Tunji-Ojo said, “Nigeria is welcoming, but we must secure our nation.”
The announcement has sparked national conversations around the country’s ability to implement the decision.
In exclusive interviews with Pinnacle Daily, Nigerians at home and abroad offered diverse perspectives on the policy, its feasibility, and what it means for the country’s immigration system.
“We Need Digital Efficiency, Not Just Announcements”
Professor of French, African Literature, Cultural Studies, and Digital Humanities at the University of Uyo, Prof. Richard Ajah, in his reaction to the announcement, said, “Nigeria has become a convergence point for many; Nigerians, Cameroonians, and others from West Africa. It’s a good move in theory, but we must face the reality of our system.
“The truth is, we don’t have a fully digital or efficient immigration system. I met someone on a trip who greeted me in French. His friend told me he was from Togo, but at the checkpoint, he claimed to be from Sokoto. That’s how porous our system is.”
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Prof. Ajah stressed that before enforcement, the government must first invest in proper documentation infrastructure.
He said, We need a reliable digital database to track who is who in the country. Identity theft is rampant. Some foreigners have even assumed Nigerian identities without formal processes.
“The announcement might boost government revenue, but unless there is intentional documentation and accountability, it may amount to noise.”
He said Nigeria is generally a welcoming country. “We’ve always embraced the role of ‘big brother’ in the region. When I was in Morocco, for instance, I was treated with dignity—the Nigerian ambassador even refunded my visa fee. At the Casablanca airport, the officials smiled warmly and said, ‘Don’t worry; we’re the same people.
But my experience in Spain was quite different. I was subjected to intense scrutiny simply because of my Nigerian passport. Ironically, here at home, we often treat foreigners better than we treat ourselves—even in my own village.
“That said, while being hospitable is important, such policies should never be a tool for extortion or harassment. Instead, they should help establish a fair and structured system that benefits everyone.”
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It’s a Step Toward Order – UK-based Nigerian
For Adekunle George, a Nigerian resident in the United Kingdom, the directive mirrors global best practices.
“This is a step in the right direction. It’s standard in many developed nations. In the UK, overstaying your visa attracts fines and, in some cases, imprisonment. For Nigeria to enforce similar immigration laws is a signal of growth, order, and accountability.”
Policies Are Good, But Can We Implement Them?
Also weighing in from the UK, Oscar Okafor, a Nigerian professional, supported the policy but warned about poor execution.
Okafor said, “The problem has never been the lack of good policies. Our challenge is implementation. Too often, loopholes in the system allow bad actors to hijack policies for personal or political gains.”
He noted that the focus shouldn’t only be on foreign nationals already in the country but on the very security of Nigeria’s borders.
He opined that “immigration is a global issue which has seen many countries enforce strong border controls. But you have to ask: how are these people getting in? If we don’t invest in securing our land, air, and sea borders, we’ll keep playing catch-up.
“If people enter without the country passing through official ports, then the idea of penalising visa overstayers becomes ineffective. You can’t penalise those who were never captured by the system.”
The August 1 deadline has set the tone for what could be a transformative period in Nigeria’s immigration framework.
