Abuja, Nigeria – March 28, 2025 – The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced tougher immigration measures to address the issue of visa overstays, emphasizing stricter enforcement as part of broader border control and national security efforts.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said foreign nationals who remain in Nigeria beyond their visa limit will now face harsher penalties. Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Tunji-Ojo revealed that anyone who overstays a Nigerian visa by three months will be banned from entering the country for five years. Those who overstay for up to one year will face a 10-year entry ban.
“If you overstay your Nigerian visa for three months, we will ban you for five years. If you overstay for one year, we will ban you for ten years,” he stated firmly.
The minister clarified that Nigeria’s visa-on-arrival policy is still active, but the new sanctions reflect the government’s determination to stop visa abuse and illegal stays.
As part of these new measures, the government introduced a three-tier compliance list:
– White List– Foreign nationals who follow all immigration laws and are welcome to visit Nigeria.
– Grey List – Individuals with minor violations who have paid fines and corrected their status.
– Black List– Those with serious immigration offenses or threats to national security, who will be banned from entering Nigeria.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the updated policies aim to boost immigration compliance, ensure better border security, and improve Nigeria’s global reputation as a law-abiding country.
The Federal Government is expected to begin full enforcement of these rules immediately, urging all foreign nationals in the country to review their immigration status and comply with visa conditions to avoid penalties.
