Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has confirmed that several key reforms by the Ministry of Interior and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), particularly concerning expatriate quotas and new visa processes, will be implemented starting Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Tunji-Ojo made the announcement during a forum hosted by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) in Lagos on Friday.
He emphasized that expatriate quota approval would become more stringent, signaling an end to the previous, more lenient approach. He noted that requests for quota approval must be justifiable.
While acknowledging job creation, the minister highlighted that many of the positions were not being filled by Nigerians. He specifically pointed out that roles like waitresses, drivers, and jobs requiring only secondary school certificates should no longer be included in the expatriate quota list.
“The idea behind the quota system is that if no qualified Nigerian is available for the role, then a foreign worker can be brought in, with Nigerians learning from them through knowledge transfer,” he explained.
Tunji-Ojo also assured that the fees for obtaining the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Alien Card (CERPAC) would remain unchanged. CERPAC, issued by NIS, grants foreign nationals the right to live and work in Nigeria.
In addition, he revealed plans to integrate CERPAC with Interpol, enabling easier identification of criminals. The new system will include the launch of e-CERPAC, which will feature virtual copies sent via email and machine-readable cards designed to prevent forgery.
The minister outlined other reforms, including the Temporary Expatriate Resident Permit (TERP), insurance provisions, landing and exit cards, and an e-visa solution.
He reiterated the importance of cleaning up Nigeria’s immigration system and building a framework that Nigerians can take pride in. In this regard, he instructed that an expatriate support desk be established at immigration offices nationwide.
Earlier in the session, NECA’s Director-General, Mr. Adewale-Smart Oyerinde, remarked on the increasing number of expatriates coming into the country despite many Nigerians seeking to travel abroad. Oyerinde expressed optimism that the various reforms would streamline processes for both expatriates and Nigerian stakeholders. A month ago, a stakeholders’ meeting led to the formation of a 10-man committee tasked with reviewing certain aspects of immigration procedures and expatriate certifications.
No comments:
Post a Comment