The Nigerjan government has given foreigners overstaying their visas until 1 August to regularise their status or face severe penalties.
In a statement issued on Friday, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) said individuals who fail to comply risk facing daily fines or being banned from re-entering the country.
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“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.
The government clarified that this directive does not require affected persons to apply for Nigerian citizenship. Instead, it offers a temporary window to update their immigration status through a newly launched online portal.
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“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 noted.
According to the NOA, the measure is part of wider immigration reforms aimed at addressing the growing issue of visa overstays without resorting to immediate deportation.
Once the grace period expires on 31 July, enforcement will begin immediately, the agency said.
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Nigeria is home to more than 10 million foreigners, making up around 4 per cent of the country’s population.
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.
In January, Nigeria deported 828 illegal immigrants as parts of its effort to control irregular migration and ensure national security.
According to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the foreigners were repatriated by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
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