The Nigerian government has given foreigners overstaying their visas until August 1, 2025 to regularise their status or face severe penalties, clarifying that this directive does not require affected persons to apply for Nigerian citizenship.
Penpushing reports that this was made known in statement by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Friday, empasising that individuals who fail to comply risk facing daily fines or being banned from re-entering the country.
“When this grace period expires on July 31, 2025, the government will immediately enforce stricter penalties, including daily fines and potential bans from re-entering Nigeria, against culprits,” the statement read.
Penpushing further reports that the statement explained that the window offers a temporary window for those applying for Nigerian citizenship to update their immigration status through a newly launched online portal.
“The new policy is not forcing those concerned to naturalise, but only giving them a temporary offer to regularise their immigration statuses through a new online portal,” the agency stressed.
Penpushing also reports that the agency said the measure is part of wider immigration reforms aimed at addressing the growing issue of visa overstays without resorting to immediate deportation.
The statement stated that once the grace period expires on July 31, 2025, enforcement will begin immediately, however, record has it that Nigeria is home to more than 10 million foreigners, making up around 4 per cent of the country’s population.
Penpushing reports that while there is no official data on the number of those residing in the country illegally, estimates suggest that thousands may be undocumented, particularly in border communities and informal labour sectors.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), it is recalled in January, deported 828 illegal immigrants as parts of its effort to control irregular migration and ensure national security.
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