The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, says the Federal Government’s recently concluded five-month visa amnesty programme offered irregular migrants sufficient time to either legalise their stay in Nigeria or voluntarily return to their countries without facing penalties.
Nandap made this known on Tuesday during a Stakeholders’ Sensitisation Forum on the Implementation of the Expatriate Quota Reform, New Visa Regime, and Post-Amnesty Programme, held at the NIS headquarters in Abuja.
She explained that the initiative, which ran from May 1 to September 30, 2025, was part of broader efforts under President Bola Tinubu’s administration to improve migration management and attract more foreign investment.
“The Post-Amnesty Voluntary Return and Documentation Programme follows a five-month amnesty window from May 1 to September 30. It was a deliberate, magnanimous policy of the Federal Government allowing migrants with irregular status to regularise their stay or leave without encumbrances,” Nandap stated.
According to her, the ongoing reforms also include the introduction of electronic residence and work permits (e-CERPAC, e-TWP) and digital landing and exit cards, all integrated into a command-and-control system to enhance real-time verification and border security.
Nandap added that the Expatriate Quota Reform aims to automate and shorten the approval process for foreign workers while ensuring full compliance with Nigeria’s labour laws.
“The reform re-engineers the expatriate monitoring process, eliminates unnecessary waiting time for regularisation, and strengthens accountability,” she said.
She urged companies and organisations employing foreigners to familiarise themselves with visa validity periods, documentation requirements, and overstay penalties, stressing that the NIS remains committed to building “a more efficient, secure, and traveller-friendly immigration system that enhances national security and supports economic growth.”
Meanwhile, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, D.N. Olanrewaju, disclosed that at least 3,500 foreign nationals participated in the amnesty window. Out of these, 597 registered, with 455 voluntarily exiting Nigeria and 142 regularising their stay before the deadline.
He explained that although many took advantage of the programme, others failed to comply, prompting the commencement of an enforcement phase.
“The new Post-Amnesty Voluntary Return and Documentation Programme, which began on October 13, gives defaulters another opportunity to come forward before facing sanctions,” Olanrewaju said.
“Those who report to the nearest immigration command will have their cases reviewed individually. Genuine cases will be treated on merit, while others will pay penalties or leave the country.”
Olanrewaju also warned employers hosting irregular migrants to comply with the Immigration Act, noting that anyone aiding or harbouring such individuals commits an offence under the law.
Speaking at the same event, the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, described the government’s post-amnesty initiative as “restorative, not punitive.”
“This initiative offers irregular migrants a lawful path to regularisation while upholding Nigeria’s sovereignty and rule of law. It is about restoring order and balance in our migration system,” he said.
The sensitisation forum was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NECA, and private sector stakeholders.
