The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed outrage over an incident where a Chinese expatriate ordered a security official to shoot a personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Niger State. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, described the incident as an “attack on Nigeria” and vowed to take diplomatic action.
According to the minister, the government will not tolerate any form of disrespect from foreigners doing business in the country. He emphasized that Nigeria will take a tough stance on ensuring that foreigners comply with the country’s immigration laws.
In response to the incident, the government is automating its immigration lists, categorizing foreigners into white, grey, and black lists based on their security risk level. Any foreigner who poses a threat to national security will be swiftly blacklisted.
The government is also introducing an Expatriate Administration System from May 1, 2025, which will provide a comprehensive database of all foreign workers in Nigeria. This system aims to ensure accountability for every foreign national residing in the country.
Additionally, the government has reformed the Nigerian Visa Policy 2024, reducing visa classifications from 79 to 44 and introducing e-visa classes. This reform aims to simplify procedures, reduce complexities, and improve the user experience.
The Minister of Interior emphasized that Nigeria welcomes foreign investors and workers, but they must respect the country’s laws. “We will not tolerate it. Please, no agent, no company is above the law. We are all within the law,” he stated.
