Nigeria is strengthening its immigration firewall as Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, confirms that the Federal Government is integrating the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Cards (CERPAC) system with INTERPOL and global criminal databases.
The Interior Minister says the move, which is part of ongoing reforms to automate the expatriate permit process, is aimed at ensuring that Nigeria does not become a safe haven for international fugitives.
“If you know you have a criminal issue, don’t apply for CERPAC. We will get you,” Tunji-Ojo warns, adding that the system is being linked to Interpol 247 and other international crime monitoring systems.
The digital shift is expected to eliminate manual intervention, end the era of in-person banking visits, and improve transparency in Nigeria’s expatriate monitoring regime.
He disclosed this while speaking during a recent engagement with Nigerian business leaders on the rollout of the digitally transformed CERPAC process, scheduled to go live from May 1.
The overhaul comes amid growing concerns about the misuse of Nigeria’s expatriate permit system and the need to tighten national security through smarter border management powered by technology and automation.
Digital-first process eliminating human bottlenecks
The Minister confirms that all CERPAC applications and payments are now fully digital, with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) set to process applications entirely online.
“Applications, all applications for all our services, will be from the Immigration website and the one that deals with the Ministry’s website,” Tunji-Ojo says. “There will be a link on the Immigration website and the Ministry’s website. So, any website you go to, either Immigration or the Ministry, you can navigate and find your way.”
The digital shift is expected to eliminate manual intervention, end the era of in-person banking visits, and improve transparency in Nigeria’s expatriate monitoring regime.
Business owners under compliance spotlight
The Minister is also placing business owners on notice, stressing that employers of expatriates will be held accountable for violations of the law by their foreign staff.
“It’s the way it’s done all over the world. It is the employers that we will hold responsible. My business is with you, business owners,” he says.
Under the Immigration Act 2015 and Immigration Regulation 2017, the CERPAC serves as official proof of both residence and work eligibility for foreign nationals living in Nigeria. The document is valid for one year and is renewable based on compliance with stipulated regulations.
Security, compliance and tech at the centre of reform
The planned CERPAC revamp aligns with Nigeria’s broader national security goals and reflects a growing emphasis on technology-led governance reforms sweeping across key sectors.
By integrating with INTERPOL’s global systems, the Minister says, Nigerian authorities are reinforcing their capacity to detect, intercept, and deny entry to persons flagged for criminal activity, thereby bolstering both border integrity and investor confidence.
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