Throwing The Baby Out With The Bathwater: Plans to Cancel Nigeria’s Visa on Arrival Policy

It was widely reported in the news on Friday, February 21, 2025, that the Federal Government of Nigeria intends to cancel the Visa on Arrival (VoA) policy. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this during the closing ceremony of a weeklong capacity-building training for personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

The VoA policy was introduced to enhance the country’s accessibility for business travellers, investors, and tourists. It has played a crucial role in positioning Nigeria as a business-friendly destination while fostering economic growth, foreign direct investment (FDI), and regional integration. However, the recent announcement regarding its cancellation does not appear to consider the overall success of the policy.