The Nigerian government has announced plans to abolish its visa-on-arrival policy as part of sweeping immigration reforms aimed at strengthening national security, tightening border controls, and ensuring better migration management.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed the decision in Abuja at the closing ceremony of a training program for Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) personnel. He emphasized that the visa process should not merely serve as an entry approval mechanism but should function as a strategic tool for managing migration and enhancing national security.
“The visa system is critical because it is not just about granting entry; it is a security device to manage migration. The current process is too subjective, which is why we are automating it end-to-end,” he stated.
The visa-on-arrival policy, introduced in 2020, allowed eligible travelers—especially high-net-worth investors and visitors from countries without Nigerian embassies—to obtain visas at entry points. However, the minister described the system as flawed, arguing that it posed security risks and did not provide sufficient oversight.
He announced that the government is working to launch an e-visa solution by March 1st, or by April 1st at the latest, which will completely replace the visa-on-arrival process. The new system will integrate with global security databases to ensure rigorous screening of applicants before they arrive in Nigeria.
As part of the reforms, all visitors entering or leaving Nigeria will now be required to complete mandatory landing and exit cards. These will be digitally linked to visa and passport systems and synchronized with international security databases for enhanced monitoring and background checks.
“A situation where the immigration service cannot instantly determine how many foreigners are in the country is unacceptable. A situation where people enter Nigeria and disappear without a trace is unacceptable. The abuse of immigration policies and processes must stop,” Tunji-Ojo said.
The minister underscored that the reforms are designed to bring Nigeria’s migration policies in line with international best practices, ensuring that the country has better control over who enters and exits.
Tunji-Ojo also highlighted the integration of the Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems across Nigeria’s international airports. These technologies will help pre-screen travelers before arrival, reducing reliance on manual and subjective decision-making by immigration officials.
“Before my tenure, Nigeria did not have this system in place at its international airports. Now, we have implemented it across all five of our major airports, and we are working to expand it to other border posts,” he said.
With this upgrade, visa applications will be processed online and linked to global security networks, including Interpol and criminal record databases, to enable real-time checks before approvals are granted.
“We do not want foreign attachés approving visas anymore. The system must be objective, not subjective. Our goal is to screen every applicant thoroughly before they step into Nigeria,” the minister stated.
To further strengthen national security, the Nigerian government is harmonizing all immigration-related data into a centralized system to eliminate loopholes that criminals have exploited in the past. The minister made it clear that Nigeria would not be a sanctuary for international fugitives.
“Nigeria will not be a destination for criminals. Our borders will no longer provide a safe haven for anyone fleeing justice. We are integrating all security solutions so that they work together, rather than in silos,” he said.
Under the new system, no visa or entry approval will be issued without real-time clearance from international security agencies such as Interpol and other background-checking bodies.
“You cannot afford to be 99.9% correct in security—you must be 100% sure. That is why we are making these reforms. We are moving from a system based on guesswork to one based on objective, data-driven decisions,” Tunji-Ojo added.
With these changes, Nigeria is taking a firm stance on immigration security, ensuring that only properly vetted travelers can enter the country while strengthening its ability to monitor and track foreign visitors.
