NIGERIA: FG Processes 14,000 e-Visa Applications In Six Weeks

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

The Federal Government has processed over 14,000 electronic visa (e-Visa) applications within six weeks of launching the system on May 1, 2025.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Monday.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ sensitization workshop on immigration innovations at the headquarters of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Abuja, the minister described the progress as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s migration management efforts.

He said: “Within the first six weeks of the e-Visa, we were able to process over 14,000 visa applications. By any standard in the world, that is a pass mark. We are already working on resolving the few hitches. Within one to two weeks, they will be history.”

Dr. Tunji-Ojo added that key digital systemselectronic Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (e-CERPAC) and Temporary Work Permit (TWP) would become operational in July, as part of a broader strategy to reform immigration processes and eliminate manual loopholes.

“The era when people came in on TWP for free and kept renewing to evade the law is gone. TWP is now automated, just like CERPAC,” he stated.

The minister stressed that the e-Visa system is not only a migration tool but also a critical driver for national economic growth, simplifying access without compromising national security.

He added: “To me, when somebody needs a visa to Nigeria and is looking for who knows the minister or CG Immigration, that’s not how to grow a country. You must make it easy, while ensuring national security is intact.”

He also revealed that recent innovations, including the digitization of passport application processes, have saved the country over ₦1 billion annually by eliminating manual archiving contracts.

On border security, the minister said the government has made notable progress through e-border governance and increased deployment of personnel.

Dr Tunji-Ojo affirmed: “We are not yet where we want to be, but we are not where we were. We will continue to invest in e-border solutions and put more boots on the ground.”

Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, highlighted the operational benefits of the new visa regime, noting its alignment with global digital standards.

She mentioned: ” These digital solutions streamline processes, enhance security, and improve the overall experience for travellers and stakeholders. The e-Visa system eliminates the need for physical visits. The e-CERPAC integrates residence permits into a digital document, and the TWP is now more efficient.”