The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has raised alarm over the increasing number of expatriates working in Nigeria without valid work permits, warning that the situation threatens local job opportunities and poses a security risk to the country.
In a striking revelation, NECA’s Director-General, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, echoed the concerns of the Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who recently stated that a staggering 90% of expatriates working in Nigeria do not have the proper permits. Oyerinde called for urgent action to address the situation, which he believes undermines the country’s economic stability and job market.
According to Oyerinde, this growing trend reflects a failure in the enforcement of existing policies that are meant to ensure that expatriates only fill roles for which there are no qualified Nigerians. The NECA leader pointed out that Nigerians were being sidelined in favor of foreigners working illegally in roles that should ideally be occupied by locals.
“The situation is not only alarming, but it also threatens the livelihood of millions of Nigerians. It’s unacceptable for foreigners to take jobs that could be handled by our own people,” Oyerinde told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a recent interview in Lagos. He further emphasized that such violations risked eroding national security and undermining the integrity of the job market.
Oyerinde’s comments come after Minister Tunji-Ojo expressed his concern that the country’s immigration laws were being flouted at an alarming rate. He had stated that 90% of expatriates working in Nigeria lacked valid work permits, a figure that has raised fears within the Nigerian business community.
“This comment by the Honourable Minister affirms the huge challenge facing the Ministry of Interior. It’s clear that there is an urgent need to address this issue and restore order,” Oyerinde added. “We must have a robust system in place to protect local jobs from being overtaken by foreigners who are here illegally.”
While advocating for the protection of legal expatriates who have complied with immigration laws, Oyerinde emphasized that those working without the necessary documentation should either regularize their status or be made to leave the country. He noted that the legal framework already exists to prevent such violations, but enforcement has been lax.
In a similar vein, Mr. Eustace James, Senior Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), also weighed in on the matter, expressing concern for the welfare of expatriates as well as Nigerians. James advocated for a balance between protecting the rights of migrant workers and ensuring that Nigerian workers are not displaced by foreigners.
James said, “Whether we call them expatriates or migrant workers, they are human beings with rights, and the government must ensure that these rights are protected. At the same time, Nigeria must not neglect the rights of its own citizens, particularly when it comes to job opportunities.”
James emphasized that the NLC has long supported the creation of legal pathways for expatriates to become documented and contribute to the Nigerian workforce. However, he stressed the importance of enforcing laws that regulate labor migration to prevent abuse by companies that exploit the system for cheap foreign labor.
“The government must focus on effective implementation and enforcement of laws governing both Nigerian and expatriate labor. If we find that immigration officials are complicit in these violations, then immediate disciplinary action must be taken,” James urged.
The issue of expatriates working without permits has stirred debate across Nigeria. While some employers argue that foreigners bring specialized skills and expertise that are not readily available within the local labor market, others point out that such practices create unfair competition for Nigerians, especially in industries where there is a surplus of skilled labor.
In light of these concerns, many are calling for the government to strengthen oversight mechanisms to ensure that expatriates only occupy roles that are not being filled by qualified Nigerians. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has been under pressure to tighten its regulations and crack down on illegal immigration and work permits, with various stakeholders pushing for stricter penalties for companies found employing expatriates without valid documentation.
Despite the growing recognition of the problem, enforcement remains a challenge. According to experts, the lack of coordination between immigration authorities, labor unions, and local government agencies has made it difficult to hold violators accountable. Additionally, the complexities of Nigeria’s immigration and work permit systems have created loopholes that businesses have exploited, often without fear of significant consequences.
The National Assembly is expected to hold hearings in the coming weeks to address the issue. Lawmakers have pledged to review the nation’s labor migration policies and explore potential reforms that would make it more difficult for expatriates to bypass the legal processes. However, NECA and the NLC both agree that the real solution lies in improved enforcement, transparency, and accountability within the immigration system.
“The country cannot afford to continue on this path of complacency,” Oyerinde said. “If the government is serious about protecting local jobs and securing the future of our economy, it must take a hard stance against illegal employment of expatriates. The ball is now in the court of the relevant authorities to act swiftly and decisively.”
