The Influence of Social Media Misinformation on Compliance with Nigerian Immigration Regulations.

Social media platforms have become central to public information consumption in Nigeria, yet they are equally powerful conduits for misinformation that undermines compliance across all directorates of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). False narratives, ranging from counterfeit recruitment advertisements and fraudulent passport updates to misleading interpretations of visa bans and residency rules, significantly distort public understanding of immigration processes. These distortions directly affect compliance with regulations governing passports, visas, expatriate residency, border entry/exit procedures, migrant management, investigation and enforcement, airport operations, land-border controls, and ECOWAS free-movement protocols.This paper synthesizes the multifaceted impacts of misinformation across core NIS directorates, drawing upon government publications, fact-check reports, academic studies, and migration-focused analyses. It incorporates specific concerns relating to overstays by expatriates and ECOWAS nationals, misuse of e-Visa processes, non-compliance by foreign workers, and false beliefs regarding abolished policies such as Visa on Arrival. The review concludes with strategic policy recommendations aimed at strengthening digital governance, improving public literacy, and enhancing the operational resilience of the Nigeria Immigration Service in the digital era.