On the Expulsion of Illegal Migrants from Nigeria

On January 17 1983 the government decreed the expulsion of aliens staying or working in Nigeria. This decision of the federal government to fully enforce its immigration laws has attracted considerable adverse publicity and comments in the mass media. Most of the press reports are based on a host of misconceptions. In the 1st place there was no order for the mass expulsion of all immigrants -- only those persons who entered Nigeria illegally with no valid travel documents or visas. Secondly the expulsion order was limited only to illegal immigrants with no skills and without jobs. For those illegal immigrants who are gainfully employed the government has agreed that they can stay on provided they regularize their stay by getting work permits within the next fortnight. Thirdly the expulsion order was not directed at any particular group of illlegal immigrants. It is of general application to all unskilled illegal immigrants without any regard to their race color nationality or creed and it is fully consistent with international practice. Contrary to what the press would have the public believe the federal governments order was in no way precipitate and was made only after due consultations with the governments of member states of Economic Community of West African States. Those governments were kept fully informed in advance of the decision of the federal government that for a veriety of legitimate reasons Nigeria could no longer continue to harbor unskilled illegal immigrants. All the governments concerned agreed with the view of the federal government of Nigeria that the expulsion order did not in any way contravene ECOWAS protcols on the free movement of people and goods within the Community. This is why there has been no protest from any of the governments concerned. The order did lead to unnecessary stampede and some hardships which were not intended by the government. Necessary care including the provision of transportation was taken to ensure the safety and orderly evacuation of those who had to leave and the initial confusion and panic would have been avoided had the borders of the receiving country been open at the time. The delay in opening those borders contributed to the hardships to which those being evacuated were exposed. Yet the evacuation has taken place with only a few incidents reported most of it outside Nigerias borders. The federal government as well as all relief agencies in Nigeria are cooperating fully with the UN Secretariat in facilitating UN and other relief assistance to those being evacuated.