The Federal Government is set to discontinue its visa-on-arrival policy, calling it “unsustainable” and a potential security risk. This bold move, announced by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, signals a major shift in Nigeria’s immigration strategy.
Speaking on Friday at the graduation ceremony of 100 Nigeria Immigration Service officers in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo revealed the urgency of a more data-driven and secure visa system. The officers had just completed a five-day specialized training on the application of Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record data in national security and law enforcement.
“We believe that it is better for us to make decisions based on objectivity rather than subjectivity,” the minister said. “Visa-on-arrival is not a system that works. I don’t expect you to just come to my country without me knowing you’re coming in. No, it’s never done anywhere.”
As part of the sweeping reforms, Advance Passenger Information systems will soon be deployed at Nigeria’s land borders. New regulations will also mandate pre-arrival clearance from Interpol, criminal record systems, and other background-check agencies in real-time.
“We’ve sorted API in five international airports. We’ll now adapt it to land borders because we’ve seen a pattern where people fly out and re-enter through the land borders,” Tunji-Ojo revealed. “For any decision that borders on immigration into Nigeria, it will be impossible for approvals to be given without the clearance of Interpol, criminal record system, and all background checking agencies in real-time.”
Set to roll out between March 1 and April 1, 2025, the new system aims to tighten national security and align Nigeria with international standards. “Security is not a sector where you can afford to be 99.9 percent accurate,” the minister stressed. “It just has to be 100 percent.”
The visa-on-arrival policy was initially introduced to simplify entry for foreign nationals visiting for business or tourism. But security experts have long warned about the challenges of vetting entrants who only submit documents upon arrival. The planned reforms will replace this system with stricter pre-arrival screenings and more rigorous background checks.
“We must be responsible in the comity of nations,” Tunji-Ojo declared, vowing to defend “even the weakest Nigerian with our last drop of blood.”
The minister also highlighted the importance of the officers’ newly acquired skills. “You are part of the privileged 100,” the minister told the graduates. “It’s an opportunity for you to write your name in gold. The Minister of Interior and the Comptroller-General are useless without efficient, capable, and competent officers.”
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, traced the training program’s origins to discussions with the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism during a conference in Bangkok in December 2024. She urged the officers to apply their skills diligently to enhance Nigeria’s border security.
International partners echoed this sentiment. Paola Pace of the International Organisation for Migration called the training a stepping stone toward improved service delivery. “As you return to your respective duties, apply the knowledge gained to foster intelligence collaboration and ensure API aligns with national security priorities,” she advised.
The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to the officers.
