The minister of interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, claims that the federal government has not abandoned the visa-on-arrival strategy, but rather is improving it.
On February 21, Tunji-Ojo stated that the federal government intends to discontinue the visa-on-arrival policy since it has grown inefficient.
Zahrah Audu, director-general of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), said in a statement on Tuesday that the minister spoke following a meeting with council delegates in Abuja.
According to Tunji-Ojo, the update will necessitate real-time pre-arrival clearance from Interpol, criminal record systems, and other background-check organisations.
He stated that the development is consistent with PEBEC’s efforts to simplify procedures and remove bureaucratic bottlenecks encountered by Nigerians during travel.
The minister added that travellers would still be able to apply online for short-stay visas, with approvals granted within 24 to 48 hours.
“The visa-on-arrival process is not being scrapped. Rather, it has been upgraded to improve efficiency and effectiveness,” the statement reads.
“Once approved, the visa will be sent to the applicant’s email, eliminating the need for a physical sticker upon arrival. This enhanced system aims to cut out inefficiencies, allowing Nigeria to better automate and control the inflow of travellers.
“With this upgrade, the country takes another step towards improving its business environment and attracting foreign investment.
“This upgrade builds upon the existing online approval system, streamlining the process and enabling travellers to receive their approvals ahead of time.”