The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to discontinue its Visa-on-Arrival policy and implement a new digital pre-entry system, including mandatory landing and exit cards for all visitors. This significant policy shift was revealed by Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo during the closing ceremony of a training program for Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) personnel in Abuja.
The new system, set to launch between March 1 and April 1, 2025, will require prospective visitors to complete pre-arrival documentation and undergo comprehensive background checks before entering Nigeria. This marks a departure from the current Visa-on-Arrival policy, which has been in place since 2020.
“We cannot expect people to just come into our country without prior knowledge of their arrival,” Dr. Tunji-Ojo explained. “The visa is not just an approval of entry; it’s a migration management and security device.”