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The Nigeria Immigration Service has declared that leaving Nigeria without a valid passport, visa, and other required documents is illegal and poses serious dangers to citizens.
In a public advisory issued on Monday, the Service warned against rising cases of fraudulent migration schemes and irregular cross-border activities being carried out by criminal networks across the country.
“It is illegal to leave Nigeria without a valid passport, visa, and other required documents, and doing so poses serious dangers,” the NIS said in a statement signed by Service Public Relations Officer DCI AS Akinlabi.
“No genuine travel process bypasses official immigration procedures or authorized border posts.”
The Service warned that criminal networks often target vulnerable individuals, particularly young women and girls, through deceptive offers of employment, education and opportunities for a better life abroad.
“These schemes frequently result in forced labour, human trafficking, and other forms of exploitation,” the statement read.
Citizens were advised to be extremely cautious of unsolicited offers of sponsorship, travel fare or “help” to go abroad from unknown or unverified persons.
“Be extremely cautious of unsolicited offers of sponsorship, travel fare, or “help” to go abroad from unknown or unverified persons.”
NIS urged the public to confirm the authenticity of all travel opportunities and recruitment offers through appropriate government channels, avoid engaging with individuals or agents who promote irregular migration, and report suspicious activities to the nearest NIS formation or other security agencies.
Parents, guardians and community leaders were called on to educate young people about the risks of irregular migration and human trafficking.
NIS provided contact numbers and social media handles for reporting, as well as a whistleblower email: [email protected].
“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains resolute in its commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders and protecting citizens from exploitation,” it said.
PUBLIC ADVISORY:
The Nigeria Immigration Service wishes to alert the public to the rising cases of fraudulent migration schemes and irregular cross-border activities being carried out by individuals and organized groups across Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/TdT60cWD63
— Nigeria Immigration Service (@nigimmigration) May 25, 2026
