THELISH Hails Interior Ministry’s Expatriate Quota Reforms, Says Policy Producing Nigerian Eye-Care Experts
By Pan Afric Reporters
Thelish Eye Centre has commended the Ministry of Interior’s reforms to the Expatriate Quota system, saying the policy has helped transform Nigerian professionals into highly skilled specialists capable of handling procedures previously undertaken by expatriate experts.
The development was contained in a statement issued by Mrs Mary Ali, ANIPR, Head, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Interior, following a courtesy visit by a delegation from Thelish Eye Centre to the Ministry in Abuja.
Receiving the delegation, led by Dr Amaka Etuk, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to deploying the Expatriate Quota system as a tool for knowledge transfer, Nigerian capacity development and improved service delivery.
Ajani congratulated Thelish Eye Centre on its 30th anniversary, commending the organisation for its contribution to specialised eye care in Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary said the Ministry was implementing ongoing digital reforms in its Citizenship and Business Department to make the administration of expatriate quota services more transparent, efficient and accessible.
She explained that the Expatriate Quota policy was designed not only to regulate the engagement of foreign professionals but also to ensure that their expertise contributes to the development of Nigerian professionals through knowledge transfer.
Ajani said the Ministry’s digital platforms now enable businesses to process expatriate quota and related applications directly, thereby reducing unnecessary reliance on intermediaries and limiting opportunities for abuse.
She encouraged businesses to designate competent in-house officers to interface directly with the Ministry’s online platforms rather than depend unnecessarily on agents for routine applications.
According to her, the reforms were part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to improve transparency and efficiency in government service delivery.
The Permanent Secretary also assured stakeholders that the Ministry would continue to engage businesses and other stakeholders and use their feedback to strengthen its reform initiatives.
Speaking during the visit, Dr Amaka Etuk commended the Ministry’s Expatriate Quota administration and understudy policy, saying it had contributed significantly to the development of Nigerian eye-care specialists at THELISH.
Etuk disclosed that the hospital, which at one point engaged eight expatriates, had successfully developed Nigerian specialists capable of performing procedures previously handled by expatriate professionals.
She said the growth in local expertise had also enabled the organisation to expand its operations through the establishment of a new centre in Abuja.
“Today, we are smiling. THELISH is happy because Nigerians have become the experts by virtue of the Ministry of Interior’s policy,” Etuk said.
The eye-care specialist also praised the Ministry’s digital reforms, particularly the online processing of Expatriate Quota applications.
She disclosed that a recent quota renewal by THELISH was completed entirely online without the involvement of intermediaries, physical visits to the Ministry or unofficial payments.
Etuk said the experience demonstrated the practical impact of the Ministry’s efforts to digitise its services and improve transparency in the administration of expatriate-related applications.
The THELISH delegation also invited the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to its 30th anniversary celebration, describing the event as an opportunity to mark three decades of contribution to the development of Nigeria’s eye-care sector.
Responding, Ajani thanked the delegation for its commendation and invitation, and confirmed that the Minister would be represented at the anniversary event.
She reiterated that the Ministry remained committed to transparent, efficient and accessible service delivery while ensuring that the administration of the Expatriate Quota system contributes meaningfully to local capacity development and technology transfer.
The engagement underscores the growing emphasis by the Ministry of Interior on using regulatory reforms and digital platforms not only to streamline expatriate-related services but also to ensure that foreign expertise translates into sustainable Nigerian professional capacity.
