Nigeria’s Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the automation of the country’s electronic visa approval and issuance system, aiming to enhance efficiency and draw in a greater number of tourists and business travelers.
This initiative also seeks to reduce lengthy wait times at Nigerian airports and eliminate challenges posed by intermediaries who assist travelers in managing Nigerian bureaucratic procedures.
“The proposed visa policy aims to enhance the ease of doing business, boost tourism, and strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations with other countries,” Tunji-Ojo wrote on X.
The minister said that the policy was implemented after a discussion with Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, the director-general of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council.
According to the official, the updated system will allow travelers to submit their visa applications online and obtain visa approvals within 24 to 48 hours.
Upon approval, electronic visas will be dispatched directly to applicants via email, eliminating the necessity for a physical visa sticker upon arrival.
Earlier reports that Nigeria was set to terminate its Visa-on-Arrival program drew varied responses from investors and the global community. Nevertheless, the minister has assured that the policy is still operational, now enhanced with additional security measures, such as pre-arrival clearance through Interpol and other background verification systems.
According to Audu, the updated system serves as an enhancement rather than a replacement for Nigeria’s existing Visa-on-Arrival program, which continues to function.
Since the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu in May 2023, the administration has focused on refining the visa processing system for foreign nationals and streamlining passport issuance for Nigerian citizens. This initiative includes the establishment of a contactless passport application system for Nigerians residing abroad.
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