The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed on Monday that the recently launched electronic visa (e-visa) regime has achieved significant success, processing over 14,000 applications within its first six weeks.
Tunji-Ojo disclosed this at a stakeholder sensitisation workshop on major immigration innovations held at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Abuja.
The minister highlighted the efficiency of the new system, stating, “I can tell you within the first six weeks of the e-visa, we were able to process over 14,000 visa applications.
“So, by any standard in the world, it is a pass mark. It is a huge one and, of course, those little hitches, I tell you, within the next one to two weeks, will be history. We will correct them.”
The minister explained that the e-visa system was introduced not only for migration management but also as a catalyst for economic growth.
“To me, when somebody needs a visa to Nigeria, and all he is looking for is who knows the minister, who knows the CG Immigration, who knows the permanent secretary, that is not how to grow a country. That is the truth,” he asserted. “You must make it easy while not compromising national security. There must be a strategy. So, the e-visa, I want to assure you, is here, and by the grace of God, is here to stay.”
Tunji-Ojo also noted that the e-border solution has significantly bolstered Nigeria’s border security framework.
“We are not yet where we want to be, but we are not where we were. There has been progress, and the simple truth is, we will continue to invest in our e-border governance and put more boots on the ground to make sure that every inch of the Nigerian border space is well protected,” he vowed.
He further revealed that the electronic Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (e-CERPAC) and the electronic Temporary Work Permit (TWP) are set to go live within the next week.
While declaring an end to the previous misuse of the TWP system, the minister said, “That era when people will come on TWP almost for free, keep renewing over and over, just to evade the law, is gone. So, for us, TWP is automated just like CERPAC is already automated.”
He added that discontinuing manual archiving in passport application processes has resulted in an annual saving of approximately one billion naira for Nigeria, as the relevant contract has been terminated.
Comptroller General of Immigration Service (CGIS), Kemi Nandap, elaborated on the recent digital innovations by the Service.
She explained that the new visa regime introduces several innovative services, including the e-Visa Application Channel, e-CERPAC, Landing and Exit Cards, and Temporary Work Permit.
“The already installed e-Gates at our major airports and the commissioned Command and Control Centre are positioned to house and harness these technologies. These digital solutions leverage technology to streamline processes, enhance security, and improve the overall experience for travellers and stakeholders,” she explained.
