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FG eyes new visa application process in weeks to improve accessibility – Minister  

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the Federal Government is working to revise the visa application policy in the country in a few weeks to improve accessibility.

Tunji-Ojo disclosed this at a stakeholders’ consultative meeting regarding Nigeria’s visa policy held on Saturday in Abuja.

The minister noted that although balancing the ease of visa access with national security is a sensitive issue, if managed effectively, it would undoubtedly encourage substantial investment promotion among other benefits.

Furthermore, he said that the government is committed to ensuring that within the next few weeks, the new implementation framework will be established.

The Minister further said that as a result, people globally will begin to find easier access to the country because the government aims to attract both investment and people.

Earlier last year, Tunji-Ojo had said that the complete automation of passport applications would commence in January 2024.

The minister promised Nigerians that the process was 99% complete.

He said when fully automated, Nigerians would only go to immigration centres for fingerprint or biometric purposes.

He added that the new system will enable users to upload their passport photographs and other supporting documents from the comfort of their homes.

He also added that the initiative will improve the security architecture of the country, prompting a quick detection of fake passport applications and reducing bottlenecks.