By Kelechi Ogunleye
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says Nigeria now has the capacity to track visa overstayers through its Integrated Operation Centre (IOC).
Tunji-Ojo revealed this during the first day of the Ministry of Interior and its Agencies, 2026 Sectoral Retreat in Abuja on Thursday.
The three-day retreat is themed,” Accountable Leadership, Measurable Impact: Reviewing Results, Renewing Commitments”.
He said that the Ministry, through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), could now take charge of Nigeria’s border space, with real-time records and data on every traveller entering Nigeria, as well as the tracking of visa overstayers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IOC, comprising cyber security and network operating units, is an AI–driven, multilayered system that strengthens reforms in border and migration management as well as expatriate administration.
“We can now know the exact number of people who have overstayed in our country and make the number available,” he said.
He also said that the Ministry was now fully prepared to pursue immigrants who have overstayed, as was done in other countries.
“We are also going after them, and with the NIS we have today, I am proud to say our border is standing on the firm foundation of technology.
“We have been able to harmonise our data, and we will equip our force to provide security for Nigerians,” the Minister said.
The Minister added that until the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) could capture and record the date of birth of all Nigerians, there was still much work to be done.
“Not until every Nigerian is captured can we say we have succeeded, as there is a lot to be done,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo further said that President Bola Tinubu had achieved a lot in the Ministry, adding that there was, however, a need to identify lapses with the aim of correction for better performance, not condemnation.
“We are interested in perfection. If it is not 100 per cent, then it is not 100 per cent. There will be repercussions and penalties for non-delivery of targets; this is the era of business unusual, hence we have to deliver,” he said.
He charged the agency heads to redouble efforts to ensure the mandates of each organisation are achieved in accordance with the President’s security agenda, while assuring adequate support.
NAN also reports that in attendance were heads of the four paramilitary agencies under the Ministry: the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), the NIS, the Federal Fire Service, and the NIMC.
The Minister charged NCoS with aligning its objectives with ensuring that inmates were reformed, rehabilitated, and an asset to society.
“NSCDC must understand and ensure the protection of all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI).
“The NSCDC CG has given me his word to create a work plan on how to be the lead agency practically and not on paper.
“We need to up our game because there are strategic security responsibilities we have to fulfil, and so we must ensure to protect the weakest in society.
“It’s important to sit up, as for every great thing achieved in the Ministry means there are more to be achieved,” he added.
