The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has strongly condemned the shooting of a Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) officer, allegedly on the orders of a Chinese company operating in Nigeria.
The incident, which took place in Niger State, has been described as a direct attack on Nigeria’s sovereignty, with the minister promising to escalate the matter to the highest diplomatic levels.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ workshop on the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo stated that such actions would not be tolerated anywhere in the world.
“I will not go to any country, open a company, and say the immigration service cannot come out. I will not do that,” he said.
He further revealed that the company allegedly ordered its security personnel to shoot an NIS officer who was simply carrying out his lawful duties.
“That happened a couple of weeks ago in Niger, and we are going to take it up with the Chinese embassy because it’s a Chinese company,” the minister said.
Tunji-Ojo expressed outrage over the attack, questioning how a foreign company could order the shooting of a uniformed officer without consequences. He made it clear that the Nigerian government would not allow such incidents to happen again.
“That is a diplomatic issue, and we will handle it. It will not happen again. So we are going to be very firm,” he said.
The minister warned that the government has the power to revoke business licenses and shut down companies that operate unlawfully.
“No company is above the law. We will not tolerate it,” he stated.
He also called for mutual respect between foreign investors and the Nigerian government.
“We are doing our best to make things easier and to collaborate with businesses. But please, we beg you, do not insult us. We will not disrespect you. As long as the president remains in office, nobody will disrespect you in Nigeria. All we ask for is mutual respect,” he added.
In addition to addressing the shooting incident, the minister announced the launch of an Expatriate Administration System, set to begin on May 1. This system will help monitor foreign workers in the country and ensure compliance with immigration laws.
“We will not allow the abuse of our immigration protocols. We will not accept that. By May 1, for expatriates and foreign workers in Nigeria, there will be a new Expatriate Administration System,” he stated.
According to the minister, there will be a three-month window— from May 1 to August 1— for foreign workers to regularize their immigration status. After this period, the government will begin enforcement actions, which could include prosecution and deportation.
“We welcome foreigners, but only if they are ready to obey the laws of Nigeria,” he said.
As part of the government’s efforts to streamline visa applications, the minister announced the launch of an Online Visa Approval Center. This new system, which was commissioned by the President in December, aims to eliminate unnecessary delays and corruption in visa processing.
“We don’t have a physical Visa Approval Center. If you apply for a Nigerian visa anywhere in the world, you do so online. We process it here in Nigeria, and if approved, you receive your e-visa in your email,” he explained.
To improve efficiency, the government has set a strict 48-hour deadline for processing e-visas.
“It is unprofessional and unacceptable for the Nigeria Immigration Service not to approve or provide feedback within 48 hours,” the minister noted.
Meanwhile, the Controller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, announced a reduction in the number of visa classifications to simplify the application process.
She said, “At the core of this policy is the new e-visa platform. A fully digitized, centralized system that revolutionizes how foreign nationals interact with our country’s entry procedures.”
Nandap also stated that the number of visa categories had been reduced from 79 to 44 to make the system more accessible and efficient.
“These categories have been logically grouped to simplify procedures, reduce complexities and greatly improve the user experience. Importantly, we have maintained the original purpose and intent of each visa class throughout this reform,” she said.
