The Nigerian government is set to automate its electronic visa approval and issuance process to simplify travel and business for foreigners, according to the country’s Interior Minister, Olubunmi Ojo.
The new system will allow travellers to apply for short-stay visas online, with approvals expected to be granted within 24 to 48 hours — eliminating the long wait times and bureaucratic hurdles at the airport.
How the Automated E-Visa Works
Once approved, the e-visa will be sent directly to the applicant’s email inbox, removing the need for physical visa stickers at the airport. This move is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’sadministration’s efforts to boost:
• Ease of doing business
• Tourism development
• Bilateral and multilateral relations
Goodbye to Middlemen?
The automation could also end the long-standing business of visa racketeering by middlemen who work with immigration officials to help visitors fast-track visa processes.
A Game-Changer for Nigeria’s Tourism and Business Sectors
Since assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu’s administration has introduced several reforms, including a **contactless passport
