The Federal Ministry of Interior to Phase out the Visa-On-Arrival System

On February 22, 2025, The Nigerian Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (the “Minister”), announced the Federal Government’s plan to discontinue its visa-on-arrival (“VOA”) policy due to perceived inefficiency, security concerns and the need to implement a more data-driven visa system.

In place of the VOA policy, the government intends to introduce a new immigration policy requiring real-time clearance from Interpol, criminal record databases, and other background-checking agencies for entry and exit approvals.