The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has dismissed reports suggesting that Nigeria’s Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) policy has been cancelled.
He clarified that the policy has been upgraded to improve efficiency rather than being discontinued.
Tunji-Ojo made this statement on Tuesday following a closed-door meeting with representatives from the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in Abuja.
According to a statement released by PEBEC Director-General, Princess Zahrah Audu, the meeting was convened to address concerns and reaffirm the government’s commitment to facilitating ease of business in Nigeria.
She further explained that the latest development aligns with PEBEC’s broader mission of simplifying processes and eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles for business operations in the country.
The alleged cancellation of the VOA policy had sparked widespread reactions from investors and the international community in recent days.
Clarifying the changes, the minister stated that new regulations would introduce pre-arrival clearance requirements through Interpol, criminal record databases, and other security verification systems in real time.
He emphasized: “The Visa-on-Arrival process is not being scrapped. Rather, it has been upgraded to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Travellers will still be able to apply online for short-stay visas, with approvals granted within 24 to 48 hours.
“Once approved, the visa will be sent to the applicant’s email, eliminating the need for a physical sticker upon arrival. This enhanced system aims to cut out inefficiencies, allowing Nigeria to better automate and control the inflow of travellers.
“With this upgrade, the country takes another step towards improving its business environment and attracting foreign investment. This upgrade builds upon the existing online approval system, streamlining the process and enabling travellers to receive their approvals ahead of time.”
The enhanced VOA framework is expected to bolster security measures while ensuring a smoother experience for international visitors seeking entry into Nigeria.