Nigeria to Phase Out Visa-on-Arrival Policy Over Security Concerns
The Nigerian Federal Government has announced its decision to eliminate the visa-on-arrival policy, labeling it as “unsustainable” and a potential security threat. Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, made this announcement during a graduation ceremony for 100 officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Friday. The officers had recently completed a specialized five-day training on using Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data for enhancing national security and law enforcement at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo explained the advantages of a data-driven visa system, stating, “We believe that decisions should be based on objectivity rather than subjectivity.” He emphasized the intent to end the visa-on-arrival process, asserting, “I don’t expect you to just come to my country without me knowing you’re coming in. No, it’s never done anywhere.”
The minister revealed that the API systems will also be implemented at land borders, alongside new regulations requiring pre-arrival clearances from pertinent agencies such as Interpol and criminal record systems. “We’ve established API systems at five international airports. Now we will adapt this to land borders, as we’ve observed a trend of individuals flying out and re-entering via land routes,” Tunji-Ojo stated. He further added that all immigration decisions into Nigeria will now necessitate real-time clearance from Interpol and criminal record verification, stressing the importance of comprehensive security measures.
“When it comes to security,” he elaborated, “history will remember us for the 1 percent we do wrong. And in security, you cannot afford to be 99.9 percent accurate; you must be 100 percent.” The minister noted that these reforms are set to begin between March 1 and April 1, 2025, with the primary goals of safeguarding Nigerian citizens and fulfilling international security obligations.
The visa-on-arrival policy was initially introduced to streamline entry processes for eligible foreign nationals visiting Nigeria for business or tourism purposes. This approach allowed travelers to obtain entry approval upon arrival, provided they met necessary documentation and fee requirements. However, the policy faced criticism from security experts, who warned against the potential risks posed by insufficient vetting of applicants at points of entry.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo remarked that the intention is to ensure that the revamped system begins functioning by April 1, 2025, incorporating stricter pre-arrival clearances and more exhaustive screening processes to enhance traveler tracking and border security.
“We are implementing these significant reforms to protect our citizens,” he stated. “Our goal is to be responsible in the international community and contribute our fair share to our global partners.” He urged the newly trained officers to leverage their acquired knowledge in their duties. “You represent a select group of 100 out of over 10,000 immigration officers. This is your chance to make a notable impact.”
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, indicated that the training initiative stemmed from engagements with the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism during the seventh Border Management and Identity Conference held in Bangkok, Thailand, in December 2024. “We’ve successfully trained 100 immigration officers from key units over the last five days,” she acknowledged, urging participants to diligently apply their skills.
Paola Pace from the International Organization for Migration remarked that the conclusion of the training signifies the beginning of a renewed commitment to enhancing service delivery. She encouraged attendees to utilize their new understandings to improve Nigeria’s border management, promote intelligence collaboration, and align API with national security strategies.
Experts Robert Musgrave and Dennis Hands highlighted the training’s significant impact regardless of participants’ rank or position. The event concluded with a ceremony where certificates were presented to the graduates by the Minister of Interior.
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