FG Deploys Technology To Track, Arrest Visa Overstayers In Nigeria

The Federal Government has declared that it now has the technological capability

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Thursday during the 2026 Sectoral Performance Review Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Interior in Abuja.

Tunji-Ojo said the government could now track the movement and visa status of foreigners who entered Nigeria within the last 10 years through newly established digital monitoring systems operated by the Nigeria Immigration Service.

According to him, the development followed the creation of an Integrated Operations Centre and a Network Operations Centre by the immigration service, enabling authorities to access detailed records of visitors to the country.

“With that, we can access, in the last 10 years, everybody who has entered — where you came from and everything. We have all your records; we know the exact people who have overstayed in our country and we will go after them,” the minister said.

Tunji-Ojo explained that stricter enforcement of visa regulations was necessary to protect 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 and sanctioned, adding that Nigeria must adopt similar measures to protect its sovereignty.

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

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

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