The Permanent Secretary of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to using the Expatriate Quota system to promote knowledge transfer, build Nigerian capacity, and improve service delivery.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani stated this while receiving Thelish Eye Centre delegation led by Mrs Amaka Etuk and her team to the Ministry of Interior in Abuja on a courtesy visit. She congratulated Thelish Eye Centre on its 30th anniversary and commended the hospital for its contribution to specialized eye care in Nigeria.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Ajani highlighted the Ministry’s ongoing digital reforms in its Citizenship and Business Department, noting that the Ministry’s Expatriate Quota policy is designed not only to regulate the engagement of expatriate professionals but also to promote knowledge transfer and the development of Nigerian expertise.
She reiterated that the Ministry’s digital platforms enable businesses to process expatriate quota and related applications directly, reducing reliance on intermediaries and promoting greater transparency and efficiency. Also, it is noted that the Ministry currently provides online access to its expatriate quota and business permit services. Applicants can now access several services through its online platforms without relying on agents or physical visits to the office.
Dr. Ajani encouraged businesses to designate competent in-house officers to interface directly with the Ministry’s platforms rather than rely unnecessarily on agents for routine processes.
In the same vein, she said the Ministry would continue to engage stakeholders and use their feedback to strengthen its reform initiatives and improve service delivery.
In her remarks, Dr. Amaka Etuk commended the Ministry of Interior’s Expatriate Quota administration and understudy policy, saying the initiative has helped the hospital develop a strong team of Nigerian eye-care specialists.
According to her, THELISH, which at one time engaged more than 80 expatriates, has successfully developed Nigerian specialists capable of performing procedures previously handled by expatriate professionals. She added that the hospital had consequently expanded its operations with the establishment of a new centre in Abuja.
“Today, we are smiling. THELISH is happy because all the expatriates are gone. Nigerians have become the experts by virtue of the Ministry of Interior’s policy,” she said.
She praised the Ministry’s ongoing digital reforms, particularly the online processing of Expatriate Quota applications. Dr. Amaka Etuk said a recent quota renewal by THELISH was completed entirely online without the involvement of intermediaries, physical visits to the Ministry, or unofficial payments.
The organisation also invited the Honourable Minister and the Permanent Secretary to its 30th anniversary celebration, describing the occasion as an opportunity to celebrate three decades of excellence and the transformation of Nigeria’s eye-care sector.
The Permanent Secretary thanked the THELISH delegation for the commendation and invitation to its 30th anniversary celebration and confirmed that the Ministry would be represented at the event.
In conclusion, Dr. Ajani stated that the Ministry of Interior remains committed to transparent, efficient, and accessible service delivery while ensuring that the administration of Expatriate Quota contributes meaningfully to local capacity development and technology transfer.
