The Federal Government of Nigeria on Friday 12th July 2019 directed all foreigners in the country to register with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) within six months under the migrant e-registration programme of the agency. Issuing the directive, President Muhammadu Buhari, stated that any alien who failed to comply would be declared an illegal migrant.
Buhari, who was represented at the event by Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, during the inauguration of the migrant e-registration and passport application processing center at the NIS Headquarters, Abuja, explained that the e-registration would aid internal monitoring and integration while enhancing national security.
He assured the international community that his government was committed to the protection of the rights of migrants, adding that it also has the responsibility to know them and identify what they do for a living.
The President said, “It is on this note that I am declaring a six-month amnesty period for irregular migrants already in the country to submit themselves to the Nigeria Immigration Service for the purpose of this registration which will be carried out without any payment or penalties.”