In a bid to strengthen national security and improve immigration processes, the Nigerian government has announced plans to discontinue its visa-on-arrival policy.
This decision was made public by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, during the closing ceremony of a weeklong capacity-building training for personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Abuja on Friday.
The visa-on-arrival policy, introduced in 2020, allowed for the issuance of short-stay visas at the point of entry.
However, according to Tunji-Ojo, this system has proven ineffective.
“It doesn’t work,” he stated, emphasizing the need for a more robust and secure approach.
To replace the visa-on-arrival policy, the government, he said, will introduce landing and exit cards, which prospective visitors must pre-fill before entering the country.
This new system aims to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of immigration data collection.
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Tunji-Ojo highlighted the importance of harmonizing the immigration data center and integrating solutions for decision-making on migration into Nigeria. This harmonization will ensure that approvals are granted only after clearance from Interpol, the criminal records system, and other background-checking agencies in real-time.
“Security is not a sector where you can afford to be 99.9 percent correct. You just have to be 100 percent,” Tunji-Ojo emphasised.
“We believe that it is better for us to take decisions based on objectivity rather than subjectivity,” he noted
The new landing and exit card system will be integrated with visa solutions, passport solutions, and global background-checking systems. This integration will enable the ministry to share data with other agencies and countries, ultimately sanitizing the immigration process.
Tunji-Ojo also expressed concerns about the current system, citing unacceptable scenarios such as difficulties in tracking foreigners entering Nigeria, individuals disappearing without a trace, and abuse of immigration policies.
The minister announced that these reforms will take effect between March 1 and April 1, with the goal of safeguarding national security, promoting international peace, and ensuring Nigeria’s responsibility within the global community.
via: Information Nigeria
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