The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed that the government’s experience with the high influx of tourists during last year’s Detty December has highlighted the need to make Nigeria more accessible for foreign visitors. The festive season, spanning from mid-December through the New Year, saw a remarkable rise in the number of tourists visiting the country, positively impacting the economy.
Speaking during a televised interview on Thursday, Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the Federal Government is committed to easing access into Nigeria as part of a broader strategy to attract more foreign direct investment and bolster the tourism sector.
“We must make it easy for legitimate people to come in and explore the beauty of our land,” Tunji-Ojo stated. “We must open Nigeria up for business, and that is exactly what Mr. President is doing: working tirelessly every day to ensure that we increase foreign direct investment, making it easier for people to come to Nigeria. We are already seeing the results.”
The Minister noted that the influx of tourists in December, a period commonly referred to as Detty December, served as a clear signal to the government of the need to further open up the country. “Last December, we saw the highest number of people coming into Nigeria, especially for the New Year. It was a great success, and that alone shows us how important it is to continue opening up our space for tourism,” Tunji-Ojo added.
Optimizing Visa Processes for Better Access
One of the key steps being taken to improve Nigeria’s accessibility to international visitors is the introduction of the e-visa system. According to the Minister, the e-visa is designed to streamline and optimize the current visa-on-arrival process, reducing bottlenecks that have traditionally made it more cumbersome for travelers.
“Visa-on-arrival, as it currently stands, is already a form of e-visa. The only difference is that the approval goes through the Comptroller-General’s (CG) office,” Tunji-Ojo explained. “Once approved, the traveler receives a notice and is then required to visit a visa-on-arrival counter at the airport to have a vignette attached to their passport. We’re saying there is no need for this extra step.”
The new optimized process will allow travelers to apply for their visa online, receive approval with a QR code, and bypass the need for the traditional vignette. This shift mirrors practices in other advanced countries such as the UAE, Australia, and Qatar, which have successfully implemented similar e-visa systems.
With these initiatives, the Nigerian government is not only aiming to improve the tourism experience but also to create a more conducive environment for business and investment, further cementing Nigeria’s position as an attractive destination for international visitors.
