FG Announces Major Shift in Visa Policy

The Nigerian government has announced plans to cancel its visa-on-arrival policy, which was implemented in 2020, and replace it with a system requiring visitors to complete landing and exit cards prior to entering or leaving the country. This decision was announced by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a recent training session for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) focused on enhancing national security through better data management.

The minister stated that the visa-on-arrival policy has proven to be ineffective and poses security risks, as it allows individuals to enter Nigeria without prior knowledge from authorities. The new system aims to consolidate immigration data and enhance security by requiring pre-arrival clearance from various background-check agencies, including Interpol. The transition is expected to be completed between March and April 2025.

Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the introduction of technology will streamline the process, moving away from manual systems currently in place. He noted that this reform is necessary for better tracking of foreign visitors and preventing abuse of immigration policies.