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Nigeria introduces lifetime ban, $15 daily fine for those who overstay visas

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The Federal Government has introduced new immigration measures to crack down on those who overstay their visas, proposing penalties, which include daily fines and potential bans from returning to the country.

Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the new policy initiative during a stakeholders’ meeting at NECA House in Lagos on Friday, April 11, 2025.

The event examined the progress of the ongoing immigration reforms and provided updates on the expatriate quota system and the Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2025.

According to Tunji-Ojo, the government will implement a daily fine of $15 for foreign nationals who overstay their visas starting in August.

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In the same vein, the minister disclosed that foreigners who overstay for three months will receive a five-year re-entry ban, while those who overstay for a year or more will be banned from returning to Nigeria.

ALSO READ: Visa-on-arrival policy stays – FG moves to enhance process, not scrap it

He said that although penalties will apply from May 20205, the government has provided a three-month grace period until August before implementation begins.

He explained that the grace window is intended to give visa holders time to regularise their status or make necessary travel arrangements without penalty.

“From first of August, anybody that does not take advantage of the amnesty period of three months, penalty will come,” Tunji-Ojo said.

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“But if you take advantage of that window to regularise, we will not charge you. Because the whole idea is not to punish you, the whole idea is for us to regularise. Let’s know the people who are actually in Nigeria.

“From the first of August, if you (-) it’s 15 dollars per day, and if you have stayed more than three months, five years, please, we don’t need violators in Nigeria.

“And if you have stayed more than one year without coming forward during the amnesty period, abeg don’t come to Nigeria again for life.”

FG to fully digitalise the resident permit

The Minister also disclosed plans by the government to fully digitalise the process of obtaining the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) to simplify the application process for foreign nationals residing and working in Nigeria.

He noted that the digitalised process will allow foreign nationals to fill out and submit CERPAC applications online, eliminating the need for manual forms. To streamline the entire process, an online payment option will also be made available.

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Tunji-Ojo added that the digital platform for CERPAC will be activated on May 1, 2025, with a link on the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) website.

“On issue of the CERPAC. Do not be scared. We are not increasing your CERPAC fee. To me, let us sanitise the system. That’s the first thing,” he said.

“We are automating it end-to-end. Because, as it is today, the procedure is that you have to go buy a form. When you buy a form, you pay at the bank and take the form to the CERPAC centre. There’s no country in the world that does that.

ALSO READ: Court summons Tunji-Ojo, AGF over proposed expatriates’ tax regime

“Your CERPAC will be filled online. Payments will be done online. Immigration will review at the bank end.

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“And if you know you have criminal issues, do not apply for CERPAC. Because we are integrating the CERPAC solution with Interpol 24/7 and all other criminal systems. So that Nigeria will not be a safe haven for somebody that they are looking for all over the world. This place is not safe for you. Go back.

“So, everything, you can do it with the comfort of your office. And by our laws, we are going to be holding employers responsible from the foundations. It’s the way it’s done all over the world. It is the employers that will hold employees. My business is with you, business owners.

“We’ve been working on this for months, if not over a year, looking at the way it’s done all over the world, best practices, and everything.”

READ ALSO: UK tightens financial requirements for 2025 visa applicants

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PDP leaders are secretly backing APC – coalition alleges

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The Coalition of Political Parties has accused the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of covertly supporting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing them as “Trojan horses” undermining efforts to rebuild Nigeria’s democracy.

The coalition’s position was made public on Wednesday, April 16, in a statement by former APC National Vice Chairman (North-West), Salihu Lukman.

His remarks followed the PDP Governors’ Forum’s rejection of a proposed alliance to form a broad-based opposition coalition.

Lukman argued that a united opposition is the only credible path to challenging the APC and President Bola Tinubu while revitalising democratic institutions.

READ ALSO: 2027: Huge blow for Atiku, Obi as PDP governors reject coalition

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He said the PDP’s reluctance to join the initiative exposes the party’s internal contradictions and questionable loyalties.

“It makes no sense to invest energy and resources in a party whose leaders are either appointees of the APC government or undercover supporters.

“All patriotic Nigerians… should recognise that the challenge facing us as a nation is beyond the romantic affiliation to so-called political parties such as the PDP,” Lukman said.

PDP heading towards self-destruction – Salihu Lukman

He criticised the PDP’s trajectory since losing power in 2015, claiming it is heading toward “self-destruction and political irrelevance.”

According to Lukman, the coalition aims to bring together opposition parties, politicians, and civil society groups to protect Nigeria’s democratic space from erosion under the current administration.


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READ ALSO: Are PDP governors betraying Atiku? Dele Momodu points fingers at Tinubu alliance

“For the avoidance of doubt, the coalition is fundamentally about rebuilding Nigerian democracy,” he emphasised.

Lukman’s comments come amid growing concerns about the strength of opposition voices in Nigeria, especially in the wake of the APC’s continued political dominance.

His statement reflects a deepening rift within the country’s political landscape, with the future of opposition unity hanging in the balance.

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President Trump offers to give illegal migrants money and airplane ticket to self-deport out of US

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US President, Donald Trump has offered to give money and an airplane ticket to any illegal migrant who chooses to ‘self-deport’ to help solve the border crisis in the US. Trump, who campaigned on a pledge to carry out mass deportations, said in a taped interview with Fox Noticias that his administration is focused right now on getting ‘murderers’ out of the country.  As for others in the US illegally, he said, hes going to implement a self-deportation program. Trump said the US government would provide immigrants airfare and a stipend. ‘Were going to give them a stipend. Were going to give them some money and a plane ticket, and then were going to work with them – if theyre good – if we want them back in, were going to work with them to get them back in as quickly as we can,’ Trump said. Fox Noticias interviewer Rachel Campos-Duffy, who is married to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, played Trump in a clip of a Mexican man who she said arrived in the US illegally more than 20 years ago and has children who are American citizens. The Republican president also said he wants to help hotels and farms get the workers they need and recommend people to fill needed positions. He said that would be ‘very soothing’ to farmers and said he ultimately wants workers who are in the US illegally to leave and come back with legal permission, but he did not outline any steps to do that. ‘Were doing a self-deportation and were going to make it comfortable for people,’ he said. ‘And were going to work with those people to come back into our country legally.’The post President Trump offers to give illegal migrants money and airplane ticket to self-deport out of US appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.


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FG declares Good Friday, Easter Monday public holidays

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The Federal Government has declared Friday, April 18 and Monday, April 21, public holidays to commemorate Good Friday and Easter Monday.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this in a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja.

The Minister extended warm wishes to Christians across the country, congratulating them on the occasion of Easter and encouraging reflection on the values the season represents.

“This is a time to embody the virtues of sacrifice and love, as demonstrated by Jesus Christ who died for the redemption of mankind,” Tunji-Ojo said.

He urged Nigerians to use the Easter holidays as an opportunity to pray for peace, unity, and national stability, underscoring the importance of collective efforts in building a stronger nation.

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Tunji-Ojo also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said is focused on driving national growth and development.

In his Easter message, the Minister appealed to Nigerians to show compassion and generosity toward their fellow citizens.

“As we celebrate, let us extend love and goodwill to our neighbours through acts of kindness,” he said.

The Minister concluded by wishing all Nigerians, especially Christians, a joyous and peaceful Easter holiday.

Easter, one of the most significant events on the Christian calendar, marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is often celebrated with prayers, family gatherings, and communal outreach.


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