Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced plans to cancel Nigeria’s visa-on-arrival policy, introduced in 2020, during a ceremony in Abuja on Friday, February 21.
The government will implement landing and exit cards, which visitors must complete before entering and leaving the country.
This initiative aims to enhance national security by ensuring thorough background checks and integrating immigration data systems.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized the necessity for objective decision-making in immigration processes and criticized the current system for allowing untraceable entries into Nigeria.
The new measures will leverage technology to modernize and secure the nation’s borders.
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo emphasized the ministry’s commitment to enhancing data sharing with other agencies and international bodies to improve immigration processes.
He expressed concerns over the current system’s inability to promptly track the number of foreigners entering Nigeria, stating that scenarios where individuals enter the country and become untraceable are unacceptable.
He also criticized the abuse of immigration policies and the prolonged six-month period required for residency regularization, noting that such practices are not standard globally.
To address these issues, the minister announced comprehensive reforms set to commence between March 1 and April 1, 2025.
These reforms aim to safeguard citizens, uphold Nigeria’s responsibility in the international community, and contribute to global peace efforts.