The federal government has declared that it would introduce stricter measures to clean up the country’s administration of visa issuance and administration of expatriate quota administration.
This was announced yesterday by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, when he addressed members of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) during the “Engagement With The Federal Ministry of Interior on the New Expatriate Administration and Other Reforms,” at Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) premises in Ikeja, Lagos State.
He said that this would require implementation of specific policies on the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), introduction of comprehensive insurance scheme to cover the cost of deporting expatriates rather than using government funding to carry out the exercise.
Other measures include the introduction of E-Visa, automation of the landing and exit cards and ensuring that government would recover expenses on administrating expatriate quota.
The minister said: “The first thing that needs to be done is for us to clear the system in a very transparent manner. So, you must do business in line with the laws of the land.”
He stated that charging N300,000 and N250,000 on three years expatriate quota and work permit respectively are no longer competitive.
He said: “This money cannot even buy air ticket for immigration officers to come and examine your business and be sure that it exists.
“My question is: why must government use tax payers’ money to subsidise expatriate administration?”
He said that the government would no longer grant expatriate quotas for waitresses, human resource managers and drivers or allow the use of secondary school leavers to understudy a university trained expatriate engineer.
“Does it mean that we do not have engineering graduates that can be employed to understudy the expatriate?
“Relationship between us and you should be symbiotic. It should not be parasitic.
“On the issue of quota, I will be a little bit stricter. I was embarrassed when I was shown a quota for a waitress. I was ashamed that it was actually approved in the ministry.
“One of the biggest companies in Nigeria sent a request for an expatriate quota for a driver. How can we do this to our country? Where is patriotism? Where is nationalism?”
He also warned those with criminal record not to apply for CERPAC because Nigeria is integrating its CERPAC system to high Interpol 247.
The minister disclosed that government has been spending billions of Naira on repatriation of foreigners.
“That is tax payers’ money. We have exhausted our annual allocation even though we are in April. We will use our tax payers’ money to build infrastructures and roads and not to repatriate foreigners.
“The option is a bond on insurance. So that if you erred the insurance company takes responsibility of the tickets and everything and the government will not pay a dime.
“There will also be expatriate comprehensive insurance for liabilities that may be incurred by an expatriate.
“It is in the law. We cannot be sentimental when it comes to nation building. We have to take hard decisions that will not hurt your businesses but will give us a Nigeria of our dreams.”
He said that henceforth the landing and exit cards would be automated, which foreigners will possess before entering Nigeria.
“Go online to fill your landing card before flying into Nigeria. The exit card is very serious. It is a weapon to tackle the issue of visa over stayers. Overstay for three months carries five year ban; if you overstay for one year, do not come back to this country. People will not come for two weeks tourism and stay for three years working in Nigeria,” he said.
The minister said that these measures will come into effect from May 1, 2025, adding that a moratorium of three years would be given to allow foreigners to regularize their documentations.
“Penalty system will be activated after August 1, 2025. We cannot have laws without repercussion for disobedience. And I beg you our expatriates, whatever that you cannot do confidently in your home country, do not try it in Nigeria. I beg you that Nigeria is not a dumping ground.
“Please, our hospitality should not have the same dictionary meaning of stupidity. Nigeria will not abandon you. But please do not disgrace and mess up Nigeria,” the minister said.
