Jurisprudence and Legal Status of Foreign Nationals in Nigeria: Regulation of Entry, Residency, and Employment under Nigerian Immigration Law

This chapter examines the jurisprudence and legal status of foreign nationals in Nigeria, with a focus on the regulation of entry, residency, and employment under Nigerian immigration law, situating the analysis within the broader context of state sovereignty, border control, and the protection of national interests. Using a doctrinal and analytical research methodology, the chapter undertakes a systematic examination of constitutional provisions, statutory frameworks, subsidiary legislation, policy instruments, and relevant judicial and administrative practices to assess the legal architecture governing the admission, stay, and economic participation of non-citizens in Nigeria. The findings reveal a complex and fragmented regulatory regime characterized by evolving administrative practices, challenges of regulatory clarity, and tensions between immigration control objectives and the protection of fundamental rights, particularly in relation to due process, employment authorization, and the treatment of vulnerable categories of migrants. The chapter further finds that while Nigeria’s immigration framework seeks to balance the facilitation of foreign expertise with the protection of local labour and national development priorities, gaps remain in institutional coordination, enforcement consistency, and rights-sensitive implementation. On the basis of these findings, the chapter recommends legislative and policy reforms aimed at harmonizing immigration regulations, strengthening institutional capacity, improving transparency in visa, residency, and work authorization processes, and enhancing compliance with constitutional and international human rights standards. It concludes that a more coherent, development-oriented, and rights-sensitive immigration governance framework is essential for effectively regulating the legal status of foreign nationals in Nigeria while promoting legal certainty, economic growth, and the rule of law.