Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has expressed the importance of prioritising local talent by emphasising the value of employing Nigerians for jobs that can be filled by the local workforce.
He stated the act has greatly affected the development of the Nigerian youths and their potential.
He said this while addressing the members of Organised Private Sectors (OPS) and other stakeholders about the various reforms being introduced by the Ministry in the Nigeria Immigration Service held yesterday in Lagos.
The Minister vented his anger over the incessant request by companies operating in Nigeria for expatriate quota to work for them in Nigeria rather than employing the ever-ready and capable Nigerian youths.
Tunji-Ojo emphasised that with the reforms going on in the Ministry and the Nigerian Immigration Service termed the Expatriate Administration System (EAS), requests for expatriate quota for those jobs that could be done by the locals would no longer be granted.
According to him, this will not only help in the development of the youths’ potentials but also develop the country’s economy.
With its large population of about 70 per cent under 30 years of age, the Minister stated that the country has the potential and the local experts who are ready to work for the development of their country rather than importing expatriates.
Meanwhile, with the new policies, which will take off on May 1, 2025, the Ministers warned that any expatriates who overstay their visas will be appropriately sanctioned.
While some who overstay for three months may be asked to pay a penalty, Ojo insisted that expatriates who overstay their visa for a year from coming to Nigeria will be banned from coming to the country for 10 years while those who overstay for six months may be banned for five years.
In the reforms, the Minister explained that they are introducing an electronic Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (e-CERPAC), a document in Nigeria that grants foreign nationals the legal right to reside and work in the country. It’s essentially a work and residence permit for expatriates.
He said, “The expatriates will no longer have to stress or lobby for the document as they will have to fill the forms online and get the documents in their mail.”
Other reforms include the introduction of an understudy process, Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance to be paid along with CERPAC, e-visa to guarantee visa within 48 hours, without lobbying from anybody, as well as reformation of Landing and Exit Card, all under the new Expatriate Administration System (EAS).
He explained that “the e-visa will replace visa on arrival, saying they are working to make sure people no longer lobby to get visa on arrival and the introduction of landing and exit cards will help in terms of data administration.”
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