The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that Nigeria’s electronic visa (e-visa) system has processed over 14,000 applications within its first six weeks of operation.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ sensitisation workshop on major immigration innovations, Tunji-Ojo highlighted the efficiency of the new system.
The minister announced that the electronic Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (e-CERPAC) and the electronic Temporary Work Permit (TWP) were set to go live within the next week.
Highlighting the efficiency of the new system, Tunji-Ojo said: “I can tell you that within the first six weeks of the e-visa, we were able to process over 14,000 visa applications. So, by any standard in the world, it is a pass mark. It is a huge one and, of course, those little hitches, I tell you, within the next one to two weeks, will be history. We will correct them.”
He emphasised the dedication behind the innovations, saying: “We are already working. Even yesterday, in my house, the CGIS was there. Technological partners were at my house. The DCG visa was in my house. All of us were at my house. We worked for hours yesterday, a Sunday, even in my conference room at home. We were working because we understand that when you are in the process of innovation, there is no room, there is no opportunity for you to close your eyes. You must make sure it works. We are ready for the challenge.”
The minister explained that the e-visa system was introduced not only for migration management but also as a catalyst for 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. This is the truth.
“You must make it easy while not compromising national security. There must be a strategy. So, the e-visa, I want to assure you, is here and by the grace of God, it is here to stay.”
Tunji-Ojo also announced that the e-border solution has significantly bolstered Nigeria’s border security framework.
“We are not yet where we want to be, but we are not where we were. There has been progress. The simple truth is that we will continue to invest in our e-border governance and put more boots on the ground to make sure that every inch of the Nigerian border space is well protected,” he added.
He also announced that the upcoming e-CERPAC and TWP will end the previous abuse of the TWP system, where individuals would obtain and repeatedly renew permits without proper oversight. He stated that the new automated system will prevent such misuse, aligning TWP with the already automated CERPAC.
