FG begins traning for e-visa application for foreigners, targets 24-hour

The federal government has officially commissioned 162 officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) for an intensive training on electronic visa application for foreigners coming to Nigeria.

The government is also making move to ensure that foreigners seeking visa into Nigeria could get their visa done within 24 to 48 hours.

Speaking Friday at the headquarters of the NIS in Abuja, Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration as a serious minded government, adding that a new Nigeria is possible under the current administration.

According to the Minister, Nigerian borders should be opened to good people come in and do business, for tourism and other legitimate business.The whole idea for me is when people are able to apply and get their visas electronically. I think approval should be gotten within 24 hours or a maximum of 48 hours.
He said: ” Nigeria is a serious country led by a serious President in the person of President Tinubu, he is here to disrupt the normal or to create what we call unusual. And an efficient and vibrant NIS is possible. I know the time for the actualization is now. It is either we get it now or we forget about it.”

While charging the selected officers to be dedicated, honest and represent the country well, Minister Tunji-Ojo. “For the e-visa, I want you to do a good job because honestly speaking a population of 230 million people, the biggest economy in Africa. The frustration people go through to get visa into Nigeria is unacceptable. Let us calll a spade a spade. It is unacceptable.

“To come to Nigeria should not be difficult. Once you meet the conditions, we are a very hospitable people. We want to see people come to Nigeria. Let them come. Let us build an economy that will encourage people to come.

“The immigration has a key role to play on the Ease of Doing Business. Key role to play in terms of tourism and in terms of investment opportunities and a lot.. The situation is beyond boarder security. Don’t not forget you are the gate. You are the gateway to the nation. The impression you give about Nigeria is one that will always last forever.”

Dr. Tunji-Ojo further warned the officers not to compromise the nation’s national security and not approve terrorists and other criminals into Nigeria.

“I know that in the next few weeks it should be ready, we should go live. If you go and approve somebody you are not suppose to approve, that’s against our national securiry. You should not allow a terrorist to come into the country. You need to be sure that you dot the i’s and cross the ts.

Speaking earlier, the NIS Comptroller General, Kemi Nana-Nandap, described the training as a significant one, adding that the selected officers have been thoroughly vetted have started the intensive training

She said the system is a departure from what the agency had initially, saying ” not only are we doing thorough veting but we going to ensure that we have the documentation being warehouse with the NIS.”