Nigeria has decided to automate its electronic visa approval and issuance process to enhance travel and business, according to the interior minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
This automation aims to eliminate long wait times for travelers upon arrival and disrupt the informal industry of middlemen who assist visitors in navigating immigration hurdles.
Under the new system, travelers can apply online for short-stay visas, with approvals processed within 24 to 48 hours. Once approved, the e-visa will be sent directly to the applicant’s email, removing the need for a physical visa sticker at the airport.
Tunji-Ojo introduced the policy following a meeting with the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu.
“The proposed visa policy aims to enhance the ease of doing business, boost tourism, and strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations with other countries,” Olubunmi Ojo, Nigeria’s interior minister said on X following a department meeting.
There were concerns over reports that Nigeria was discontinuing its Visa-on-Arrival program, sparking mixed reactions from investors and the international community. However, the minister clarified that the policy remains in effect, with enhanced security measures, including pre-arrival clearance via Interpol and other background-check systems.
According to Audu, the new system serves as an upgrade rather than a replacement for Nigeria’s Visa-on-Arrival program, which remains operational.
Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, the government has focused on enhancing the visa processing system for foreigners and streamlining passport issuance for Nigerians. This effort includes introducing a contactless passport application system for Nigerians residing abroad.
In November 2024, as reported by BitKE, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) selected a blockchain-powered platform to offer assistance to stranded or dissatisfied passengers.
🇳🇬USE CASE | The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Proposes Blockchain Portal for Airlines Sector
The blockchain portal offers almost immediate comfort to stranded or dissatisfied passengers while at the terminals – @NigeriaCAA https://t.co/J40GtSr3lK pic.twitter.com/OacFRUvqLE
— BitKE (@BitcoinKE) February 28, 2025
The agency had been in discussions with insurance firms to formulate a new system that meets the consumer’s protection needs without risking the operator’s business, in efforts to reduce complaints from customers about airport ineffiencies.
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