President Muhammadu Buhari Friday declared a six-month amnesty to migrants who had stayed in Nigeria beyond 90 days without resident permit.
He said the period would enable the migrants to register with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to avoid having challenges with immigration laws.
The president made the declaration at the inauguration of the Migrant e-Registration and Data Processing Centres at NIS Headquarters in Abuja.
Buhari, who was represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, Buhari said the E-Registration was significant to the country’s drive for robust internal security and national development.
He said, “It is on this note therefore, that I am declaring a six-month amnesty period for illegal migrants already in the country to submit themselves to the Nigerian Immigration Service for the purpose of this registration.
“The registration will be carried out without any payment or penalties.
“I’m enjoining all migrants staying in Nigeria whether regularly or otherwise, to take advantage of the amnesty window to register with the Nigeria Immigration Service.
“I also urge Nigerians to embrace the new passport reforms and I task the Nigerian Immigration Service to replicate the passport application processing centres nationwide so as to enhance transparency and elimination of corruption in the system.”
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mrs Georgina Ehuriah, said the programme reflected government’s commitment to harness accurate data of citizens and migrants, especially those willing to stay beyond the 90 days grace period.
“We wish to use the migrant e-registration centre as our platform for the internal monitoring and integration of migrants.
“As you all may probably be aware, there is a very important aspect of an effective domestic security architecture which is the mandate of the ministry of interior.
“The aspect is the existence of accurate data on who lives among us, what do they do and how do they move across our borders,” she said, adding that the programme would enhance national security.
Also speaking, the NIS comptroller-general, Mr Muhammad Babandede, said the new policy didn’t bother if a migrant had been in Nigeria for 20 years without resident permit as it was not an offence.
He, however, said “you now have been given amnesty to register within six months.”
According to him, migrant registration, like the passport, would be linked with National Identity Ecosystem to generate a unique number that would connect to all identity systems in Nigeria.
“We are actualising the dream of this administration of one-man-one-identity,” he said. (NAN)
