The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) on Monday sought to ease the concerns surrounding the recent decision by the Ministry of Interior to scrap Nigeria’s Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) policy, which has sparked mixed reactions from both investors and the international community.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced on Friday that the VOA policy would be discontinued, citing its unsustainability and the potential security risks associated with it. Tunji-Ojo made this revelation during the graduation ceremony of 100 officers from the Nigeria Immigration Service, who completed a specialized five-day training program in national security and law enforcement in Abuja.
In his remarks, the minister explained that the new regulations would necessitate pre-arrival clearance from Interpol, criminal record systems, and other background-check agencies to ensure real-time assessments of individuals arriving in Nigeria.
The announcement has sparked concern, particularly among the foreign community and investors who see the VOA as a crucial gateway to Nigeria for business and tourism. In response, the Director-General of PEBEC Zahrah Audu, issued a statement on Monday reassuring stakeholders that the council is actively engaging with the Minister of Interior to find a solution.
Audu acknowledged the anxiety the decision had caused but emphasized that PEBEC, with its history of driving reforms to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria, was committed to addressing the situation. She reiterated that PEBEC’s objective was to strengthen security surrounding the VOA process while maintaining the policy, which she described as vital for promoting tourism, trade, and investment in Nigeria.
“PEBEC has implemented several initiatives aimed at simplifying procedures, reducing bottlenecks, and creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive,” Audu stated. “We believe that with collaboration and dialogue, we can resolve the security concerns while ensuring that the VOA process remains secure and efficient.”
PEBEC further urged the international community to remain calm and confident in the government’s ability to reach a balanced solution that would benefit all parties involved.
