Nigeria’s visa-on-arrival policy not cancelled, it’s being upgraded — Minister, Tunji-Ojo

The Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) policy in Nigeria isn’t going away, it’s getting smarter and faster. That’s the message from the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who addressed the growing confusion on Tuesday over claims that the policy had been scrapped.

After a closed-door meeting with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo set the record straight: the VOA system isn’t being cancelled, it’s being upgraded.

The new VOA system will require pre-arrival clearance through Interpol and other criminal record-check agencies — all in real-time. It’s a move aimed at balancing security with efficiency.

“The Visa-on-Arrival process is not being scrapped. Rather, it has been upgraded to improve efficiency and effectiveness,” Tunji-Ojo explained. “Travellers will still be able to apply online for short-stay visas, with approvals granted within 24 to 48 hours.”

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Once approved, the visa lands directly in the applicant’s email, no more physical stickers or cumbersome paperwork on arrival. It’s a shift designed to cut through inefficiencies and better automate the flow of international visitors.

This isn’t just about convenience, it’s about building a more business-friendly Nigeria. PEBEC’s Director-General, Princess Zahrah Audu, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the policy upgrade aligns with ongoing efforts to simplify processes and reduce the notorious bureaucratic bottlenecks that often deter investors.

“With this upgrade, the country takes another step towards improving its business environment and attracting foreign investment. This upgrade builds upon the existing online approval system, streamlining the process and enabling travellers to receive their approvals ahead of time,” she noted.

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