Visa Applications to Transition to Online System Before March 1, Says FG

The Federal Government has announced that all visa applications in Nigeria will be fully transitioned to an online system before March 1, 2025. This development was revealed by Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, during a live session on ‘X Spaces’ with social influencer, Dr. Segun Awosanya.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo explained that the shift to an online visa application process is part of the government’s broader effort to streamline the visa issuance system, enhance national security, and eliminate corruption. The minister also highlighted the establishment of a centralised visa approval centre, which aims to merge Nigeria’s visa regime for uniformity and consistency.

“The centralised visa approval centre is a significant achievement for this administration. It will help stem corruption, ensure national security, and bring uniformity to the visa regime,” Dr. Tunji-Ojo stated.

He further elaborated on the technological advancements supporting the new system, emphasizing the creation of a robust infrastructure to support the online transition. This includes the development of a data centre initially promised to be 1.4 petabytes but ultimately delivered at 8.3 petabytes—making it one of the largest data centres globally. The enhanced data centre is expected to facilitate the secure processing and vetting of visa applications, significantly improving the process’s efficiency.

In his remarks, the minister stressed that Nigeria’s government cannot afford to allow the proliferation of security documents like visas, as it would violate due process. Thus, the move to an online system is seen as a crucial step toward safeguarding the integrity of the country’s visa system.

The initiative is expected to modernize Nigeria’s visa application process, making it more transparent and user-friendly for both Nigerians and foreign applicants. As of now, applicants can expect a smoother and more efficient way of applying, tracking, and receiving visa approvals starting from March 1, 2025.

This reform is part of broader efforts by the Nigerian government to improve its public service delivery, combat corruption, and ensure proper security protocols are followed in the issuance of sensitive documents.