The Federal Government announced on Monday that its newly launched electronic visa (e-visa) system, operational since May 1, has achieved remarkable success.
Within the first six weeks alone, the system processed over 14,000 visa applications, marking a significant milestone for Nigeria’s immigration reforms.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed these figures during a stakeholders’ sensitization workshop on key immigration reforms held at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Abuja.
He also announced that two major digital platforms—the electronic Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (e-CERPAC) and the electronic Temporary Work Permit (e-TWP)—are slated to go live within the coming week.
“I can confidently say that processing over 14,000 visa applications within six weeks is a notable achievement by any standard. Of course, minor issues remain, but we expect these to be resolved within the next one to two weeks,” Dr. Tunji-Ojo said.
He added, “Just yesterday, I hosted the Comptroller General of Immigration Service, technological partners, and senior officials at my home, where we worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth operation of this innovative system. We recognize that during such innovation, there is no room for complacency. We are ready to meet the challenge.”
Highlighting the government’s rationale behind introducing the e-visa system, the Minister emphasized its role beyond migration management, stressing its economic impact.
“To me, a visa to Nigeria should not depend on who you know within the system. That does not foster national growth. We must simplify the process without compromising national security. The e-visa is here to stay, by the grace of God,” he stated.
He further acknowledged progress made so far while underscoring ongoing efforts: “We are not yet where we want to be, but we have certainly moved forward. We will continue investing in e-border governance and increase ground personnel to protect every inch of Nigeria’s borders.”
On the forthcoming launch of the e-CERPAC and e-TWP platforms, the Minister clarified that the days of using Temporary Work Permits to circumvent residence permits are over.
“The era when people exploited the TWP system by repeatedly renewing permits to evade the law is over. The TWP is now fully automated, just like the e-CERPAC,” he explained.
Additionally, Dr. Tunji-Ojo revealed that eliminating manual archiving in passport processing has saved Nigeria about one billion Naira annually, leading to the cancellation of the previous contract for manual processes.
Comptroller General of Immigration Service (CGIS), Kemi Mandap, further detailed the recent digital innovations, including the e-Visa Application Channel, e-CERPAC, Landing and Exit Cards, and the digitized Temporary Work Permit.
“The installed e-Gates at major airports and our newly commissioned Command and Control Centre are equipped to support these technologies. These digital solutions harness technology to streamline immigration processes, enhance security, and improve the overall experience for travelers and stakeholders,” she said.
Mandap emphasized that the e-Visa system enables seamless online applications, eliminating the need for physical visits to immigration offices.
“Similarly, the e-CERPAC digitizes residence permits, simplifying the process for foreign nationals residing in Nigeria. Our Temporary Work Permit has also been digitized, significantly reducing processing times and improving efficiency,” she added.
