By SARAFINA CHRISTOPHER

No fewer than 4,000 Nigerians have voluntarily departed from India under an amnesty programme introduced to enable those illegally residing in the country to regularise their status or leave without penalties.

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to India, Saidu Muhammad, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday in New Delhi ahead of the 2026 BRICS Summit holding in the country.

The envoy said the programme was among the major issues he had engaged Indian authorities on since assuming office on July 23, particularly in response to concerns raised by members of the Nigerian community.

According to him, during his virtual engagement with members of the Nigerian community across India, Nigerians have raised concerns relating to visa overstays, visa renewals, visa extensions and other immigration-related matters.

He said the engagement, which lasted more than an hour, provided an opportunity to hear directly from Nigerians and to urge them to comply with Indian laws and regulations.

Muhammad said he subsequently engaged officials of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, particularly those responsible for Central and West Africa, on issues affecting Nigerians resident in the country.

He commended the Indian government for introducing the amnesty programme, which allows Nigerians residing in the country illegally to regularise their status or leave voluntarily without penalties.

“The initial six-month amnesty was extended by an additional three months following my appointment.

“Currently, no less than 4,000 Nigerians have taken advantage of the arrangement to leave India voluntarily,” he said.

However, he said Nigeria has requested a further extension of between three and six months to enable more Nigerians to benefit from the programme.

Muhammad said the additional extension would provide an opportunity for Nigerians who had not yet regularised their status to do so or make arrangements to leave the country voluntarily.

He urged Nigerians residing in India to take advantage of the opportunity and ensure that their immigration status was properly regularised.

The envoy also called on Nigerians in India to obey the laws of the host country and conduct themselves in ways that would uphold the image of Nigeria.

Muhammad said the High Commission would continue to engage relevant Indian authorities on issues affecting Nigerians and work toward protecting their legitimate interests. (NAN)