The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to cancel its Visa-on-Arrival policy, citing inefficiencies in the system. Instead, the government will introduce landing and exit cards, which travelers must complete before arriving in the country. This move aims to strengthen security measures and streamline the immigration process.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this announcement during the closing ceremony of a week-long capacity-building training on Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data for national security and law enforcement. The event was held at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Abuja.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo noted that some individuals classified as “persons of interest” have been trying to bypass security checks at Nigeria’s international airports. Intelligence reports indicate that such individuals now enter Nigeria through its extensive land borders after first traveling to neighboring countries.
To address this security loophole, the government plans to extend the API/PNR system to land borders. Dr. Tunji-Ojo stated that Nigeria must not become a safe haven for criminals, emphasizing the importance of strict immigration control.
The introduction of landing and exit cards will enhance Nigeria’s ability to track incoming and outgoing travelers. The minister noted that this measure will be integrated with other security databases, including the Interpol system and criminal records databases. The goal is to ensure that all visitors undergo thorough background checks before entering the country.
“People must fill the landing card, which will be integrated with the visa and passport systems, then linked to all background checking systems across the world before they arrive. This will allow us to share data with other agencies and ensure a more secure process.”
The minister also mentioned that immigration reforms will begin between March 1 and April 1, with efforts focused on automating visa applications. The new e-visa system will be connected to global security networks to prevent wanted criminals from entering Nigeria.
In addition to scrapping the Visa-on-Arrival policy, the government is working on integrating various immigration solutions into a single database. This harmonized system will allow authorities to track foreigners in Nigeria more efficiently. The minister noted that cases where foreigners enter Nigeria and become untraceable or abuse immigration policies will no longer be tolerated.
The planned reforms aim to ensure that approvals for entering Nigeria will not be granted without clearance from security agencies. Dr. Tunji-Ojo stressed that security is a top priority, stating: “Security is not a sector where you can afford to be 99.9% correct.”
