The Federal Government has revealed plans to discontinue its visa-on-arrival policy, describing it as unsustainable and a potential security risk.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Friday at the graduation ceremony of 100 officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service who underwent a five-day specialised training on the application of Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record data in national security and law enforcement at the service headquarters, Abuja.
Explaining the benefits of a data-driven visa system, Tunji-Ojo said, “We believe that it is better for us to make decisions based on objectivity rather than subjectivity.
“Of course, that will lead to the cancellation of the visa-on-arrival process because visa-on-arrival, we understand, is not a system that works.
“I don’t expect you to just come to my country without me knowing you’re coming in. No, it’s never done anywhere.”
According to the minister, Advance Passenger Information systems will be deployed at the land borders.
Also, new regulations would require pre-arrival clearance from Interpol, criminal record systems and other background-check agencies in real-time.
