The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has sought to ease concerns following the Federal Government’s decision to cancel the visa-on-arrival (VOA) policy.
Recently, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced that the Federal Government plans to discontinue the VOA policy, calling it “unsustainable.”
In response, PEBEC’s Director-General, Zahrah Audu, reassured stakeholders that the Council is actively working to “find a solution” to the issue.
“We understand the concerns this decision has raised within the foreign community, and we want to assure everyone that PEBEC is in continuous discussions with the Minister of Interior to explore solutions,” Audu stated in a press release on Monday.
“Our goal is to strengthen security within the VOA process while retaining a policy that has been pivotal in promoting tourism, trade, and investment in Nigeria. With continued collaboration and dialogue, we believe we can address the security concerns and create a secure, efficient VOA system that serves all parties,” she continued.
Audu emphasized PEBEC’s ongoing commitment to improving Nigeria’s business environment.
“We have been implementing various initiatives to simplify procedures, reduce barriers, and foster a more business-friendly atmosphere,” she added.
Despite the concerns raised by the Minister’s announcement, Audu urged calm, reiterating PEBEC’s determination to “resolve this matter promptly.”
“We will continue our efforts to ensure Nigeria remains an attractive destination for investors, tourists, and businesses alike,” she assured.
In his initial remarks, Minister Tunji-Ojo explained that the decision to cancel the VOA policy was driven by security considerations. He stressed the importance of security being based on “objectivity rather than subjectivity.”
“Security is not an area where you can afford to be 99.9 percent correct. It’s crucial to be 100 percent,” Tunji-Ojo said. “We believe this decision, rooted in objectivity, is the right one. It’s not about allowing people into the country without knowing who they are. This is not something done anywhere else.”
The Minister also highlighted plans to introduce an updated “landing and exit card” system, replacing the current manual process. “This is 2025, not 1825, and it’s time for technology to take its place,” he said.
