The Federal Government has announced plans to discontinue its visa-on-arrival policy, citing security concerns and describing it as “unsustainable”.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed that the policy will be replaced with stricter processes, including pre-arrival clearance and more rigorous screening.
The new system is set to launch between March 1 and April 1, 2025. It aims to protect Nigerians. It also aims to meet international security obligations. Advance Passenger Information systems will be deployed at land borders. New regulations will require real-time clearance from Interpol. They will also check criminal record systems and other background-check agencies.
The decision to scrap the visa-on-arrival policy follows warnings from security experts. They cautioned about potential security lapses. A major concern is the difficulty of thoroughly vetting entrants who only submit their documents at the port of entry.