FG uses technology to track and arrest visa overstayers in Nigeria

… Immigration implements a digital system to track down defaulters

… He says those who fail to comply with their visas risk arrest

Daud Olatunji

The federal government has said it now has the technological capacity to identify and arrest foreigners who overstay their visas in Nigeria, in what officials describe as a major step towards strengthening immigration control and border security.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Thursday during the 2026 sector performance review retreat of the Federal Ministry of Interior in Abuja.

Tunji-Ojo said the government can now track the movement and visa status of foreigners who have entered Nigeria in the last 10 years through new digital tracking systems operated by the Nigeria Immigration Service.

According to him, the development followed the establishment of an integrated operations center and a network operations center by the immigration service, which allows authorities to access detailed records of visitors to the country.

“With this, we can access, over the last 10 years, everyone who has entered, where you come from and everything else. We have all your records; we know the exact people who have overstayed our country and we will prosecute them,” the minister said.

Tunji-Ojo explained that stricter enforcement of visa regulations is needed to secure Nigeria’s borders and align the country with global immigration practices.

He noted that Nigerians who violate immigration laws in foreign countries are often tracked down and sanctioned, adding that Nigeria must take similar measures to protect its sovereignty.

“Outside Nigeria, they go after illegal immigrants and we think we need to protect the sanctity of our borders,” he said.

The minister also highlighted ongoing institutional reforms within agencies of the ministry, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, underscoring the need for transparent and corruption-free service delivery.

According to him, security agencies must operate in a manner that ensures equal protection for all citizens, regardless of their social or political status.

“The NSCDC provides protection in an organized and corruption-free manner, so that no one’s child will have the same opportunities as anyone’s child in government,” he said.

Tunji-Ojo added that people facing real threats to their lives or businesses should be able to access security protection without having to rely on political influence or bureaucratic connections.

“If you are a businessman or there is a real threat to your life, you should be able to access protection without going through the minister, the commanding general or anyone else,” he added.

The minister also stressed that government institutions must prioritize the protection of all citizens, especially the most vulnerable.

He also expressed concern about Nigeria’s correctional system, complaining that some inmates repeatedly return to custody, which he described as evidence of weak rehabilitation facilities.

According to him, correctional facilities must focus on reform and reintegration to ensure that inmates return to society as responsible citizens.
“Whoever goes in there needs to be reformed and transformed,” Tunji-Ojo said.

Earlier in her remarks, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, highlighted the need for accountability and measurable performance across agencies in the ministry.

Ajani noted that leadership in public institutions should be defined by “dedication, promise, performance and impact,” stressing that transparency and effective service delivery are essential to restoring public trust in government institutions.

The government’s plan to monitor visa overstays is part of broader efforts to strengthen border management and strengthen immigration enforcement across the country.

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