The Nigerian government has announced plans to transition all visa applications to an online platform by March 1, 2025. This initiative aims to streamline the application process, bolster national security, and minimize corruption.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, shared this development during a virtual session on ‘X Spaces’ hosted by influencer Dr. Segun Awosanya. He highlighted the establishment of a centralized visa approval center designed to ensure uniformity across the visa regime and reduce opportunities for corrupt practices. Tunji-Ojo emphasized, “The visa approval center is also an achievement for this administration because we now have a centralized visa approval system. This will stem corruption, ensure national security, and merge the visa regime to ensure uniformity. Before March 1st, all visa application systems will be online to ensure proper vetting.”
In addition to the online transition, the minister unveiled the creation of an 8.3petabyte data center at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex, located at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Sauka, Abuja. This facility, one of the largest of its kind globally, addresses previous challenges related to data management within the NIS. Tunji-Ojo noted, “We inherited a Nigeria Immigration Service that had no data center, where citizens’ data were stored in private capacities with various contractors, which was a gross violation of the Data Protection Act. Nigeria cannot proliferate the issuance of its security documents without due process. We promised a 1.41petabyte data center but delivered an 8.3petabyte facility, one of the largest in the world.”
These advancements are part of broader efforts to revise Nigeria’s visa policy to attract foreign investments and boost tourism. The government is committed to optimizing the visa process to attract more investment and streamline visa categories for efficiency. Tunji-Ojo stated, “An efficient visa policy is fundamental for investment promotion and economic progress.”
The minister reassured Nigerians that these initiatives would improve service delivery, enhance border security, and position the country for greater digital transformation in immigration services. With the deadline for full digitization set for March 1, prospective applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the online process to avoid delays and complications.
