The Federal Government has announced plans to discontinue its visa-on-arrival policy, citing concerns over its sustainability and potential security risks.
Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, made this announcement during the graduation ceremony of 100 Nigeria Immigration Service officers who completed a five-day specialized training on the use of Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record data for national security and law enforcement. The event took place at the Immigration Service headquarters in Abuja.
Tunji-Ojo explained that transitioning to a data-driven visa system would improve the decision-making process, prioritizing objectivity over subjectivity. He stated, “Visa-on-arrival is not a system that works. I don’t expect anyone to enter my country without me knowing they’re coming in.”
The Minister outlined plans to implement Advance Passenger Information systems at land borders, extending current efforts at five international airports. The new regulations will require real-time pre-arrival clearance from Interpol, criminal record systems, and other background-check agencies to improve border security.
“The goal is for no immigration decision to be made without clearance from relevant agencies. When it comes to security, we must ensure 100% accuracy,” Tunji-Ojo emphasized. He added that the reforms, which are set to take effect between March 1 and April 1, 2025, are designed to protect Nigerian citizens and strengthen international security obligations.
Introduced as a way to simplify entry procedures for foreign nationals, the visa-on-arrival policy has faced criticism from security experts for the challenges of vetting entrants at the port of entry. The upcoming changes will replace the existing system with more rigorous screening and tracking to safeguard Nigeria’s borders.
Tunji-Ojo reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to being a responsible member of the international community, vowing to protect the weakest citizens “with our last drop of blood.”
Additionally, the Minister encouraged the newly trained officers to apply their expertise in securing Nigeria’s borders, highlighting the importance of their role in national security. “You are the biggest assets in our fight against terrorism and criminal activities,” he said.
The ceremony also included remarks from the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, and representatives from the International Organisation for Migration, who stressed the importance of continued collaboration to enhance border management and intelligence sharing.
As part of the ceremony, certificates were presented to the graduates, marking the completion of the training program and the beginning of a new phase in improving Nigeria’s border security operations.
