The Federal Government deported 828 illegal immigrants in 2024 as part of its intensified efforts to curb irregular migration and strengthen national security.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Olu, revealed this during a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday. Highlighting the government’s achievements, he said, “In the last year, 137 victims of trafficking were intercepted, and in 2024 alone, 828 foreigners were repatriated by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).”

Modernising Border Operations and Immigration Systems

As part of broader reforms, the government has introduced measures to modernise border operations and streamline immigration systems. Key initiatives include:

• Global Passport Integration: Nigerian passports are now integrated into the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Public Key Directory, enabling seamless verification worldwide.

• Centralised Visa Approval Centre: A Visa Approval Centre was established in Abuja to simplify and expedite visa processing.

• State-of-the-Art Data Centre: An 8.3-petabyte data centre, the largest in Nigeria, has been constructed to enhance data storage and management.

• Solar-Powered Infrastructure: Solar energy systems were introduced to ensure uninterrupted operations.

• Real-Time Surveillance: A command and control centre now monitors all land and air entry points, significantly boosting border surveillance.

Addressing Passport Backlogs

The minister also noted significant improvements in passport processing. “The NIS cleared a backlog of 200,000 passport applications within three weeks in 2023 and issued 1,836,533 passports in 2024,” he said.

These efforts reflect the government’s commitment to addressing migration challenges while modernising the nation’s immigration infrastructure