The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has issued a strong condemnation against the rising trend of employing foreigners for jobs that can be efficiently handled by Nigerian citizens. Speaking at an interactive session with members of the Organised Private Sector and key stakeholders at NECA House in Lagos, the Minister expressed concern over the implications of this practice on youth development and the nation’s economy.
Tunji-Ojo described it as not only unjust but detrimental to the country’s future. He emphasized that Nigeria, with a youthful population—over 70% under the age of 30—has capable and ready human resources that remain untapped due to employers’ preference for foreign labor. “It’s particularly embarrassing when requests are made for expatriate quotas to employ foreign drivers or waitresses,” he said, questioning how such individuals could understand Nigeria’s local terrain better than its own citizens.
He announced that starting May 1, 2025, Nigeria will no longer approve expatriate quotas for roles that Nigerians can competently occupy. This new directive is part of sweeping reforms under the newly introduced Expatriate Administration System (EAS), which seeks to reposition Nigeria’s immigration framework to better serve its economic and developmental goals.
Beyond the employment issue, the Minister also unveiled a series of immigration policy changes designed to improve efficiency and data tracking, while eliminating corruption and lobbying. One major reform is the introduction of the electronic Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (e-CERPAC). This digital permit allows foreign nationals to apply online and receive legal permission to work and reside in Nigeria, without undue physical processes or under-the-table arrangements.
Additionally, the Ministry will launch an e-visa system designed to grant visas within 48 hours of application—replacing the current “visa on arrival” policy. Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the days of lobbying for visa approvals are over, as the new platform will make the process faster and more transparent.
To enhance accountability, the government is also reintroducing Landing and Exit Cards to collect critical travel data. Furthermore, a new Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance scheme will now be mandatory for all foreign workers, ensuring they contribute meaningfully to the country’s health and safety infrastructure.
Addressing the issue of visa overstays, the Minister laid out a strict penalty regime. Expatriates who overstay for three months will face financial penalties. Those who overstay for six months will receive a five-year ban from re-entry, while a 12-month overstay will lead to a ten-year ban.
Tunji-Ojo concluded by stating that these reforms aim not only to empower Nigerian youth but to correct systemic flaws that have long hindered national progress. “We cannot continue to have the largest population in Africa without being the continent’s largest economy,” he said. “We must do things differently to get different results.”