Nigeria Immigration Service begins post-amnesty drive as over 3,500 foreign nationals seek to regularise documents or exit after visa grace period

Nigeria Immigration Service has commenced its Post-Amnesty Voluntary Return and Documentation Programme following the expiration of the Federal Government’s five-month visa amnesty designed to help irregular migrants regularise their stay or leave the country.

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The Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, D.N. Olanrewaju, disclosed that at least 3,500 foreign nationals with expired visas approached the Service during the amnesty window.

Of this number, 597 registered — with 455 opting to voluntarily exit Nigeria and 142 choosing to regularise their stay.

He said the enforcement phase has now begun, stressing that it “requires discipline, commitment, and uniform action.” Olanrewaju warned that overstayers who failed to take advantage of the amnesty would face penalties in line with immigration laws.

The five-month visa amnesty, which began on May 1 and ended on September 30, allowed foreign nationals who had violated visa conditions to either legalise their status or exit Nigeria without penalties. Despite extensive publicity, many failed to comply.

To address this, the Nigeria Immigration Service has launched a post-amnesty initiative to give defaulters one last opportunity to come forward. Those who present themselves at immigration offices will have their cases reviewed individually, with genuine cases treated on merit.

Olanrewaju cautioned employers and sponsors of expatriates to comply with the Immigration Act by reporting irregular migrants in their organisations. “Anyone aiding or harbouring illegal migrants commits an offence under the law,” he said.

Comptroller-General Kemi Nandap reaffirmed that the visa amnesty initiative was a deliberate act of magnanimity by the Federal Government to strengthen migration management and attract foreign investment.

She explained that the new **Post-Amnesty Voluntary Return and Documentation Programme** aligns with broader reforms, including a new visa regime, digital residence and work permits, and the automation of expatriate quota approvals.

“The reform aims to build a more efficient, secure, and traveller-friendly immigration system that supports national security and economic growth,” Nandap said.

Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, lauded the programme, describing it as restorative rather than punitive.

“It offers foreign nationals a lawful path to regularisation while reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to fairness and the rule of law,” he said.

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The sensitisation forum, held in Abuja, brought together representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NECA, and private sector stakeholders to discuss the future of Nigeria’s immigration reforms and the implementation of the post-amnesty framework.