More than 60 per cent of expatriate quotas issued in Nigeria in the past were fraudulent, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed, blaming weak coordination and poor digital integration among government agencies for the irregularities.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Tunji-Ojo said the discovery was made during ongoing reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the administration of immigration services.
“The absence of a properly harmonised digital framework made it difficult to verify and track approvals across agencies, thereby enabling irregularities,” the minister said, noting that poor coordination allowed loopholes to be exploited.
Expatriate quotas, which allow companies to employ foreign nationals for roles unavailable locally, have long been criticised for abuse, including inflated approvals and non-compliance with local content requirements.
To tackle these issues, the ministry has deployed a new digital platform that enables companies track applications and approvals in real time, reducing reliance on manual processes and limiting opportunities for manipulation.
“Under the new framework, manual processes are being phased out, reducing physical interaction with officials and limiting opportunities for manipulation.
“Businesses no longer need to visit Abuja or know the minister to conduct legitimate business. The system is open, transparent, and efficient,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He added that the reform is designed to process only genuine applications, protect the Nigerian labour market, and ensure expatriate roles are justified and monitored.
The minister stressed that the digital overhaul is part of a broader effort to improve the business environment, attract investment, and curb capital leakages caused by administrative inefficiencies.
Tunji-Ojo also called for stakeholder collaboration, commending NECA for its engagement and promising continued consultation with private sector partners in refining policies that affect businesses.
