The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said that the new transparent digital framework for managing expatriate quotas, has revealed that more than 60 percent of approvals under the old system were found to be fraudulent due to weak inter-agency integration.

He said the reform is designed to block abuse, improve accountability, and restore confidence in Nigeria’s immigration process. Tunji-Ojo made this known while receiving the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.

The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between government and the private sector, particularly in areas affecting business operations and compliance.

According to the Minister, the previous quota regime created loopholes that allowed widespread manipulation, largely because relevant agencies operated in silos without proper system integration. He noted that the discovery of the scale of irregularities prompted an urgent overhaul of the process.

Advertisement

He explained that the newly introduced digital system now enables companies to independently track their quota applications in real time, removing the need for physical visits or personal connections to secure approvals.

“Businesses no longer need to visit Abuja or know the Minister to conduct legitimate business. The system is open, transparent, and efficient,” he said.

Tunji-Ojo added that the reform forms part of broader efforts to reposition the Nigeria Immigration Service for better service delivery, improved border management, and stronger national security, stressing that safeguarding territorial integrity remains central to the Ministry’s mandate.

The Minister stressed that the reform was not designed to frustrate legitimate investors but to protect the system from abuse while making compliance easier for serious businesses.

Advertisement

He maintained that government has a duty to create a structure that is predictable and fair, especially in areas that directly affect investment decisions.

Tunji-Ojo said collaboration with the private sector remains central to the Ministry’s reform agenda, noting that policymaking must be built on consultation rather than unilateral action.

“You are the creators of jobs. You generate the taxes and capital gains that fund government operations. Our responsibility is to ensure that we serve you effectively so you can continue to power Nigeria’s economy,” he stated.

He further emphasized that there is no monopoly of knowledge in governance, adding that stakeholder engagement has helped to refine reforms across immigration, border management and regulatory services.

Advertisement

“When we sit at the table, we brainstorm, we discuss, and we agree. Once we agree, it becomes our decision, not government’s decision alone,” he said.

The Minister also highlighted improvements within the Nigeria Immigration Service, particularly in administrative efficiency and border security, arguing that effective migration control is closely tied to national security and economic stability.

According to him, the new digital framework has already reduced bureaucratic delays, blocked leakages and strengthened transparency in quota processing.

He added that by removing human interference and opaque procedures, the system now limits opportunities for corruption and boosts investor confidence.

Tunji-Ojo further expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association for its continued engagement with the Ministry, assuring that concerns and proposals from the organised private sector will continue to receive priority attention as reforms progress.