The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed that up to 90% of expatriates in Nigeria are operating without proper work permits, performing jobs that should be reserved for Nigerians.
The minister revealed this on Wednesday during his appearance before the Joint National Assembly Committees on Interior, where he defended the 2025 budget proposal for the Ministry of Interior.
The issue was raised by Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, who criticised the ministry’s lax approach to migration management.
Oshiomhole emphasized the need for stricter enforcement, stating that expatriates are filling roles such as selling goods and services, jobs traditionally filled by Nigerian citizens.
“No country in the world allows all manner of people to come under all kinds of guises and they are given visas and whatever it is to reside in the country,” Oshiomhole asserted.
He pointed out the growing presence of foreign workers in Nigerian commercial centers, carrying out tasks that could easily be performed by locals.
In response, Minister Tunji-Ojo acknowledged the challenges posed by the influx of unregulated expatriates and highlighted that the Ministry of Interior is actively working on a migration management solution.
While he refrained from disclosing sensitive details in the public session, Tunji-Ojo stated that there is an ongoing automation process aimed at addressing the country’s migration concerns.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that effective border management is central to solving Nigeria’s migration issues, comparing it to the policies of other countries that implement strict immigration controls
