The commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of expatriate quotas by the Federal Government has been restated, especially in light of recent allegations of irregularities in the oil sector. This followed a protest by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria at a company’s headquarters in Lagos, where concerns were raised about favoring expatriates over qualified Nigerian professionals.
In response to the situation, the Ministry of Interior’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, addressed the issue, assuring the public of proactive measures being taken to tackle the concerns raised. The ministry announced a significant review of the expatriate quota and citizenship application approval process, centralizing all approvals under the Minister of Interior and the Permanent Secretary for enhanced transparency and operational efficiency.
Furthermore, a meeting involving key stakeholders was held to emphasize the importance of creating a business-friendly environment while safeguarding the interests of Nigerian workers. A review committee, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Interior, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the organized private sector, was established to assess the current expatriate quota policy and propose necessary improvements. The Ministry remains dedicated to ensuring a fair and transparent administration of expatriate quotas in the country.