The Nigerian Immigration Service deported at least 61 foreign nationals in August 2024 as part of efforts to curb irregular migration within the country.
According to The PUNCH, this action coincided with the implementation of Nigeria’s revised visa policy, which enabled the issuance of 8,352 Visas on Arrival during the same period, according to the NIS’s August achievement report.
The deportation of these foreign nationals was part of a broader strategy to combat unlawful migration, as noted in the report, which stated, “The NIS eased out 61 foreign nationals to address irregular migration. The new Visa Policy facilitated 8,352 Visas on Arrival.”
While deportations are not new to the NIS, this recent development highlights the agency’s ongoing commitment to regulate migration and maintain border control.
Between 2020 and 2022, over 70 foreign nationals were deported for similar reasons, emphasizing the recurring nature of these efforts to uphold the country’s immigration laws.
This latest move reflects the government’s determination to maintain strict control over the entry and residency of foreigners in Nigeria, while simultaneously facilitating legal travel through the updated visa-on-arrival policy.
