The Federal Government has granted a two-month extension of amnesty to foreigners who might have overstayed their visas.

The expired visa initiative is to enhance compliance with the new visa regime and reinforce a secure and transparent migration system.

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had at a meeting with the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association NECA in March said the government would begin a serious clampdown on irregular migrants in the country as from August 1.

Accordingly, he announced a grace period of three months from May 1, when the new Expatriate Administration System EAS will take place, to August 1, when the government would begin enforcement.

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Providing an update on the issue, the Spokesman of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, ACI Akinsola Akinlabi, said, “The initiative, which commenced on May 1 2025, runs until September 30 2025, and specifically applies to individuals who have either overstayed their visas or violated their visa conditions.”

According to him, the initiative provides a unique window for foreigners currently residing in Nigeria with expired immigration status to regularize their stay without facing penalties.

He said, “⁠The amnesty applies to the following categories: Foreign nationals with Expired Visa on Arrival VoA; Holders of Expired Single and Multiple-Entry Visas; and, Individuals with an Expired Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), where renewal has exceeded 30 days post-expiration”.

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According to him, all affected foreign nationals are urged to promptly regularize their stay through (https://amnesty.immigration.gov.ng) within the grace period to avoid overstay penalties.

“To ensure the Amnesty application process is seamless, the Nigeria Immigration Service has assembled a support team to assist with Amnesty applications. Contact the support team via email at: amnesty@immigration.gov.ng

“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to facilitating lawful migration, safeguarding National Security, and promoting transparency and efficiency across all immigration processes. ⁠For further information, kindly visit the Nigeria Immigration website www.immigration.gov.ng.”

His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Christian Esezi Ide of Warri Diocese of the Anglican Communion, has lamented the deplorable security situation of the country.

Rev. Ide made the remark at the fifteenth synod of the Warri Diocese of the Anglican Communion held at the Cathedral of St Andrew, Warri, with the theme: Overcoming the Birthright of Christians.’

His Lordship, while quoting reports that say that between 2019 and 2023, 55,910 Christians were killed by terrorists and bandits in Nigeria, lamented that 90 per cent of the total number of Christians killed around the globe within this period were Nigerians.

He enjoined the Federal Government to take concrete steps to redress the sad state of insecurity in the country.

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He said: “The Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa revealed that Nigerians accounted for 90 per cent of all Christians killed worldwide each year; and that between October 2019 and September 2023, a staggering 55,910 people were killed, while 21,000 others were abducted by terrorist groups operating in the region.

“Is this not an indictment of the Nigerian government for failing to protect Christian communities from escalating violence?

“Why should the government sit and watch militant herdsmen steal and vandalise, kill and boast about it, kidnap and rape, while they enjoy total impunity from elected officials?

“Would it be far from the truth to say that these attacks are religiously motivated and amount to religious cleansing? Worse still, none of the killers have been arrested or brought to justice.

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“This carnage must stop, and those responsible must be held accountable. It is worrisome that Nigeria is fast becoming a land flowing with tears and blood due to the reality of terror, devastation, destruction and fear amongst the citizenry.

“The increasing and constant incidences of attacks in villages, cities, on the roads, airports, railways and waterways, and kidnapping give great worry and concern as to whether the government is overwhelmed by it.

“We urge the government and
relevant security agencies to brace up to the occasion to combat this monster of insecurity, check our porous national borders and collaborate with local vigilantes, before things further generate.”

The Imo State Government has ordered the immediate closure and withdrawal of approvals and licenses of private schools operating illegally, particularly those located in residential apartments and housing estates across the state.

The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, Professor B. T. O. Ikegwuoha, who declared the action part of the government’s renewed efforts to sanitize the education sector.

According to the statement, the government has revoked the approvals and licenses of private schools operating in apartments or residential areas, whether or not such institutions were previously approved.

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has by this notification revoked and withdrawn the approval and licenses of private schools that are presently housed and operating in apartments in Imo State,” the statement read.

Parents and guardians have been advised to withdraw their children and wards from such illegal schools and re-register them in duly approved private or public schools.

In addition, all schools operating within Federal or Imo State Housing Estates, especially in areas not designated for educational purposes, have also had their approvals revoked.

The government warned that failure to comply with the directive would attract stiff sanctions, including the redistribution of affected students to nearby approved schools.

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“Proprietors of private schools in Imo State should note that failure to comply with the conditions outlined in this notice will result in punitive sanctions, including but not limited to immediate distribution of their pupils and students to nearby schools.”

To ensure full compliance, monitoring and inspection teams from the Universal Basic Education (UBSE) and Quality Assurance (QA) departments of the ministry will begin enforcement visits to affected areas.

The government’s action has sparked debate among education stakeholders, with many calling for clarity on zoning regulations and better support for private education providers.
(VANGUARD)