The Federal Government has announced plans to discontinue its Visa-on-Arrival policy, stating that “it is not working.” Instead, the government will introduce landing and exit cards, which prospective visitors will be required to pre-fill before arriving in the country.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement on Friday during the closing ceremony of a week-long capacity building training on Advance Passenger Information / Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) Data in National Security and Law Enforcement, held at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Abuja.
Tunji-Ojo explained that some individuals of interest had been attempting to bypass the new systems implemented at Nigeria’s five international airports. Intelligence reports indicated that these individuals were now traveling to neighboring countries to enter Nigeria via its extensive land borders.
In response, the minister revealed that the ministry would collaborate with relevant partners to extend the API/PNR system to Nigeria’s land borders, emphasizing that Nigeria cannot be a haven for criminals.
At the event, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (CGIS), Kemi Nandap, explained that the initiative stemmed from discussions held with the United Nations Organization on Counter Terrorism in Bangkok, Thailand, last year. Nandap further praised the Immigration Service’s dedicated and well-trained personnel, who are committed to serving the country to the best of their abilities.
