The Federal Government has announced plans to discontinue its visa-on-arrival policy, citing security risks and sustainability concerns.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the disclosure on Friday during the graduation ceremony of 100 officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Abuja. The officers had completed specialized training on utilizing Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data for national security and law enforcement.
Stricter Visa Controls for Enhanced Security
Tunji-Ojo emphasized the importance of a data-driven visa system, stating that immigration decisions should be based on objectivity rather than subjectivity. He argued that allowing travelers to enter Nigeria without prior clearance poses security threats.
“As a nation, we must know who is coming into our country before they arrive. Visa-on-arrival is not sustainable, and it is not practiced in most security-conscious nations,” he said.
The minister revealed that API systems will be implemented at land borders in addition to the five international airports where they are already in use. New regulations will mandate pre-arrival clearance from Interpol, criminal record databases, and other security agencies to enhance border security.
New Screening Measures Set for 2025
The government plans to roll out the new immigration reforms between March 1 and April 1, 2025. According to Tunji-Ojo, these measures are crucial for safeguarding Nigerians and meeting international security obligations.
“No immigration decision will be approved without real-time clearance from security agencies. We must ensure Nigeria’s safety at all costs,” he asserted.
He further emphasized that national security should be foolproof, noting that even a 99% success rate is insufficient in the security sector.
“We will be remembered for the one mistake we make, not the 99% we get right. Security requires absolute precision,” he added.
The End of Visa-on-Arrival
Nigeria’s visa-on-arrival policy was originally introduced to simplify entry for eligible business and tourism travelers. The initiative aimed to attract foreign investment and boost tourism by reducing bureaucratic hurdles. However, security experts have warned that it allows individuals to enter the country with minimal background checks, increasing the risk of security breaches.
The new immigration framework will require foreign travelers to obtain pre-approval before arrival, ensuring thorough vetting and better tracking of entries and exits.
Training for Improved Border Management
The event also marked the conclusion of a five-day training for immigration officers, designed to improve Nigeria’s border control capabilities. Comptroller-General of the NIS, Kemi Nandap, highlighted that the program stemmed from discussions with the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism during a conference in Bangkok in December 2024.
International partners, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), expressed support for Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its border security. IOM representative Paola Pace emphasized that the training lays a foundation for improved intelligence-sharing and migration governance.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates to the officers by the Minister of Interior, underscoring the government’s commitment to national security and enhanced immigration protocols.
News Source: Punch Nigeria
