.. reveals initiatives to improve the administration of expatriates quotas
The federal government has promised to begin the repression of irregular migrants in the country as of August 1, 2025.
Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this in Abuja after a meeting with the Nigerian employers' advocate association (NECA).
He pointed out that there would be “an immigration amnesty program” for the regularization of due processes for three months.
“The new administration system will enter into force as of May 1, 2025. Then, we said that from May 1, we will create an immigration amnesty program for the regularization of due processes for three months, that is, from May to June, July and, of course, from July to August.
“Then, for August 1, there will be a strict presentation against irregular immigrants, and we hope that people take advantage of three months to be able to regularize and undergo established immigration protocols,” said the minister.
The minister also warned that the federal government would no longer tolerate a situation in which some companies obstruct the Nigeria immigration service (NIS) to carry out their legitimate duties.
Also read: We are addressing concerns about the administration of expatriates quotas: FG
“Then, we have said that we will be very hard with any company that avoids or prevents the Nigeria immigration service from carrying out its legal responsibility. We will not tolerate that in the future,” Tunji-Ojo said.
Meanwhile, the Interior Minister, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has presented a series of progressive reforms aimed at rationalizing the administration of expatriates and promoting greater collaboration between the government and the private sector.
The director, the press and the public relations, Ozoya Imohimi, in a statement on Wednesday, said that Tunji-Ojo spoke at a meeting of interested parties with the advisory association of Nigeria employers held in Abuja,
The minister highlighted the intentional discussions and key decisions that are expected, which are expected to promote economic growth and improve national security.
The center of these reforms is the establishment of the expatriate support table, a new unit within the Nigeria immigration service (NIS).
This desk will serve as a permanent interface between the Ministry, the Advisory Association of Employers of Nigeria (NECA) and the organized private sector. Its mandate includes addressing the problems related to commercial permits, expatriate fees, the residence permit of combined expatriates and the alien card (CERPAC), temporary work permits (TWP) and other private sector concerns that require government intervention.
The minister emphasized the importance of transparency and efficiency in the administration of expatriates, noting that the new expatriate administration system (EAS) will eliminate blind points in the process.
As part of this initiative, a one -day awareness program will be carried out in Lagos to commit to the private sector before the official launch.
Key decisions include enforcing the laws on substitute roles to boost knowledge transfer and job creation, with the required quarterly reports of the Department of Citizenship and Business. A joint committee of the government-private sector will end the EAS protocols within six weeks.
The Government will fulfill zero tolerance for companies that obstruct NIS operations. Revised rates for citizens and commercial activities enter into force as of May 1, 2025, together with a three -month amnesty to regularize immigration status, after which a strict application will begin.
The minister reiterated the government's commitment to balance the protection of Nigerian interests with the promotion of a friendly business environment.
“We want to collaborate with the private sector to create policies that support economic growth while guaranteeing compliance with immigration laws,” said the minister.
He added that these measures are part of the continuous efforts of the Ministry to align with Nigeria's economic recovery plan and to strengthen the nation's immigration framework.
“The Ministry remains dedicated to taking advantage of these reforms for sustainable development and national security,” he concluded.
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