The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to abolish the visa-on-arrival policy, a system introduced in 2020 under the Muhammadu Buhari administration. The decision, aimed at tightening security and enhancing migration control, was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the closing ceremony of a weeklong capacity-building training for personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Friday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The visa-on-arrival system, which allowed short-stay visitors to obtain a visa at entry points, will now be replaced by a pre-arrival digital entry system. Under the new arrangement, prospective travelers will be required to fill landing and exit cards before arriving in Nigeria, allowing authorities to pre-screen visitors and strengthen border security.
Security and Migration Control at the Core
Tunji-Ojo emphasized the need for a harmonized immigration data system, ensuring that all approvals are verified through Interpol, criminal records databases, and other security agencies in real-time. He underscored that absolute security precision is required in managing Nigeria’s borders, adding that decisions on migration must be based on objectivity rather than subjectivity.
“Security is not a sector where you can afford to be 99.9% correct. You just have to be 100% correct,” he said.
He further stated that manual entry processing will be phased out as Nigeria moves toward technology-driven immigration solutions.
“This is 2025, not 1825. Technology must take its place,” the minister asserted.
Policy Implications for Nigeria’s Economy and Security
The abolition of visa-on-arrival is expected to impact tourism, business travel, and diplomatic relations, as Nigeria previously positioned itself as an investment-friendly destination with flexible entry policies. Critics argue that tightening migration policies could reduce foreign investment inflows, as business travelers may face additional entry barriers.
However, supporters believe that a digitized pre-approval system will reduce illegal migration, enhance national security, and streamline entry processes. With Nigeria battling transnational crimes, border security threats, and concerns over undocumented migration, the government sees this as a step toward modernizing its immigration framework.
As the policy takes effect, questions remain about how efficiently the new system will be implemented, and whether it will boost security without hindering economic activities.
