Nigeria's Immigration Reforms Enhance Transparency and Security

On June 4, 2026, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening transparency and efficiency within Nigeria's immigration system.

This announcement was made during a meeting with a European Union delegation, including Ambassador Gautier Mignot and Frederik Klink from the European Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria. The ongoing reforms aim to address widespread irregularities within the expatriate quota and residence permit systems, which were uncovered during an investigation revealing extensive misuse of the expatriate quota permit, including the issuance of fraudulent documents by unauthorized agents.

The Nigerian Immigration Service is implementing an integrated digital platform to link quota approvals directly to the residence permit process, thereby eliminating duplication and enabling real-time verification. This reform allows companies to manage applications directly, reducing reliance on third-party agents and associated costs.

The European Union representatives welcomed these reforms and called for further improvements to Nigeria's work permit system to attract foreign investors.