FG Deploys E-Visa, Digital Expatriate Platform to Tighten Borders, Attract Investment

The Federal Government has launched a new phase of migration reforms, rolling out an electronic visa regime and an integrated expatriate management platform as part of efforts to strengthen border security, eliminate bureaucratic leakages, and position Nigeria as a more competitive investment destination.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed the measures on Thursday in Abuja while receiving the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Mohammed Bello Shehu, during a high-level visit to the ministry.

The minister said the reforms are designed to overhaul Nigeria’s migration architecture through technology-driven systems that enhance transparency, improve compliance, and support economic activity without compromising national security.

“We are building a migration system that is efficient, transparent, and aligned with Nigeria’s economic priorities, while maintaining the highest standards of national security,” Tunji-Ojo said.

At the core of the overhaul is a fully digital visa system that enables end-to-end processing—from application to approval—reducing delays that have historically hindered travel and investment inflows. The system also introduces secure QR-coded visas aimed at tightening verification processes at entry points.

Officials said the reform is expected to significantly cut processing timelines, curb manual interference, and improve Nigeria’s global competitiveness in attracting business travellers and investors.

In a parallel move, the ministry has deployed a centralised digital platform for administering the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) and expatriate quota approvals. The platform integrates directly with the Nigeria Immigration Service, allowing real-time data exchange and stricter monitoring of expatriate activities.

Tunji-Ojo said the system eliminates the role of unauthorised agents and introduces a transparent, traceable process for applications and approvals.

“For too long, inefficiencies and opaque processes created loopholes,” he said. “What we have done is to close those gaps and ensure that every stage of migration management is accountable.”

He stressed that while Nigeria is pursuing investor-friendly policies, citizenship matters remain strictly governed by constitutional provisions, noting that any residency-by-investment initiatives would be implemented within existing legal boundaries.

The minister underscored the importance of coordination across government institutions, saying effective collaboration among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies is critical to achieving policy outcomes in areas such as border control, revenue generation, and investment facilitation.

Responding, Shehu said the commission’s engagement with the ministry reflects its mandate to ensure that all revenues due to the federation are properly accounted for and remitted.

“The Commission is committed to strengthening oversight of revenue-generating agencies and ensuring alignment across institutions,” he said.

He commended the Ministry of Interior for reforms that are already improving revenue inflows and operational efficiency, noting that stronger migration systems have implications for both national security and fiscal performance.

Also speaking, Federal Commissioner and Chairman of the Commission’s Investment Monitoring Committee, Enefe Ekene, said the visit was aimed at forging a strategic partnership with the ministry, particularly in areas such as citizenship-by-investment frameworks and safeguarding key sectors like solid minerals.

“The goal is to ensure that government investments and policies are effectively aligned to attract foreign direct investment while maintaining regulatory integrity,” he said.

Industry observers said the reforms come at a critical time, as Nigeria seeks to balance stricter border control with the need to remain open to global capital and talent. Analysts note that inefficiencies in visa processing and expatriate management have long been cited by investors as barriers to entry.

With the new systems, officials believed the government is attempting to reset that narrative by deploying technology to improve both security oversight and ease of doing business.

For the Interior Ministry, the message is clear: migration management is no longer just a border issue—it is now a central pillar of Nigeria’s economic strategy.