The Federal Government has processed more than 14,000 electronic visa (e-visa) applications within the first six weeks of launching the system, according to the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
He disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during a stakeholder sensitisation workshop on major innovations by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
The e-visa system, which officially commenced on 1 May 2025, is one of several recent digital reforms introduced to streamline Nigeria’s immigration processes.
“I can tell you within the first six weeks of the e-visa, we were able to process over 14,000 visa applications. This happened within six weeks. So, by any standard in the world, it is a pass mark,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He acknowledged there had been minor challenges but assured stakeholders that they would be resolved within the next two weeks.
He further explained that the e-visa system was part of a broader strategy to manage migration effectively while stimulating economic growth.
“To me, when somebody needs a visa to Nigeria, and all he is looking for is who knows the minister, who knows the CG Immigration, who knows the Permanent Secretary, that is not how to grow a country,” he said.
“We must make visa issuance easy while not compromising national security. There must be that strategy. So for the e-visa, I want to assure you that it is here, and by the grace of God, is here to stay,” he added.
Tunji-Ojo also highlighted progress under the e-border initiative, noting it had enhanced Nigeria’s border security infrastructure.
“There has been progress, and the simple truth is, we will continue to invest in our e-border governance. We will put more boots on the ground to make sure that every inch of the Nigerian border space is well protected,” he said.
He announced that the electronic Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (e-CERPAC) and the electronic Temporary Work Permit (TWP) would become operational within the coming week.
According to him, the misuse of the TWP system would no longer be tolerated, as automation now ensures better monitoring and compliance.
“The era when people come on TWP almost for free, keep renewing over and over just to evade the law, is gone. So, for us, TWP is automated just like CERPAC is already automated,” he stated.
He also revealed that the discontinuation of manual archiving in passport applications had saved the government nearly N1 billion annually, following the cancellation of a related contract.
Earlier, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap, detailed the Service’s ongoing digital transformation efforts.
She noted that the new visa framework included the e-Visa Application Channel, e-CERPAC, Landing and Exit Cards, and the Temporary Work Permit.
“The already installed e-Gates at our major airports and the commissioned Command and Control Centre are positioned to house and harness these technologies,” she said.
According to Nandap, these digital systems not only streamline operations but also strengthen national security and improve user experience.
She added that the e-CERPAC integrated residence permits into a single digital document, while the digitised Temporary Work Permit had helped reduce processing time and boost operational efficiency.
(NAN)
