FG announces when all visa applications will go online

The Nigerian government will move all visa applications online by March 1, 2025.

Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced this on Monday during an X Spaces session hosted by influencer Segun Awosanya.

The initiative, as learnt, was part of broader reforms aimed at enhancing national security, ensuring uniformity in visa processes, and reducing corruption through a centralized visa approval system.

“The visa approval centre is also an achievement for this administration because we now have a centralized visa approval system,” Tunji-Ojo said.

He added: “This will stem corruption, ensure national security, and merge the visa regime to ensure uniformity. Before March 1, all visa application systems will be online to ensure proper vetting.”

The minister also highlighted the establishment of a harmonized data centre located at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC), which houses the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Abuja.

“We were able to build one of the biggest data centres in the history of Nigeria—an 8.3-petabyte facility,” he said.

He pointed out that, “Before this, Nigeria’s Immigration Service lacked a dedicated data centre, and the data of Nigerians was stored with private contractors, violating the Data Protection Act.”

The new data centre replaces the initial plan for a 1.4-petabyte system, underscoring the administration’s commitment to enhanced digital infrastructure.

Tunji-Ojo said that the data centre was among the largest globally, addressing concerns over Nigeria’s ability to securely manage its security documents and personal data.

The reforms are expected to bolster national security, eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies, and provide a seamless visa application process for foreigners.