In a major step toward digitizing Nigeria’s immigration processes, the federal government has recorded over 14,000 electronic visa (e-visa) applications within six weeks of launching the new system. Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this Monday during a stakeholders’ sensitization workshop held in Abuja.
The e-visa programme officially began on May 1, 2025, and forms part of a broader suite of immigration reforms being implemented by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) under the guidance of the Interior Ministry.
Tunji-Ojo hailed the rollout as a resounding success, describing the early results as a benchmark of global standards. “In the first six weeks alone, we’ve processed over 14,000 applications. That is a clear pass mark anywhere in the world,” he stated.
While acknowledging some initial technical hiccups, the minister assured stakeholders that corrective measures are underway. “Whatever teething issues we have experienced will be resolved within the next one to two weeks,” he said.
He emphasized that the e-visa system was not only a tool for better migration management but also a strategy to support economic growth. “We must remove the need for visa applicants to rely on personal connections or access to senior officials. That is not how to grow a country,” he said. “E-visa is here to stay, and we are committed to improving it without compromising national security.”
In addition to the e-visa, Tunji-Ojo announced that two more digital immigration services — the electronic Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (e-CERPAC) and the electronic Temporary Work Permit (e-TWP) — are set to become operational in the coming week.
He also addressed long-standing abuse of the work permit system, noting that the digital transition is designed to eliminate loopholes that have been exploited for years. “The era of perpetual TWP renewals is over. These permits are now automated, and the system will flag misuse,” he warned.
The minister revealed that the government has already saved approximately N1 billion annually by scrapping manual passport archiving and cancelling the associated contracts.
On border security, Tunji-Ojo said the federal government has made strides through its e-border initiative, though he admitted more work lies ahead. “We are not where we want to be yet, but we have made progress. We are committed to investing more in e-border governance and deploying additional manpower to secure every inch of Nigeria’s borders,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Comptroller General of Immigration, Mrs. Kemi Nandap, highlighted the digital transformation being undertaken by the Service. She said innovations such as the e-Visa Application Channel, e-CERPAC, digital Landing and Exit Cards, and the online TWP application process are aimed at reducing bureaucracy and increasing efficiency.
Nandap added that the Service has already installed e-Gates at major international airports and established a central Command and Control Centre to manage the new infrastructure.
“The e-Visa allows applicants to complete the process online without needing to physically visit an immigration office, while the e-CERPAC integrates all residence documentation into a single digital file,” she explained. “We are using technology to improve both security and the traveller experience.”
With the digital migration of key immigration services now underway, the federal government says it is positioning Nigeria as a more secure, accessible, and investment-friendly destination.