All visa applications to be fully digital starting March 1

The Federal Government has announced that all visa applications in Nigeria will change to an online-only system by March 1, 2025.

This initiative aims to streamline the process, enhance national security, and curb corruption, according to Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior.

Speaking during an X Spaces session hosted by influencer Segun Awosanya, Tunji-Ojo highlighted the establishment of a centralized visa approval center as a key achievement of the current administration.

“The visa approval center is also an achievement for this administration because we now have a centralized system.

“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,” he stated.

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The minister also emphasized the government’s progress in harmonizing national data through a cutting-edge data center located at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC), at the headquarters of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Sauka, Abuja.

“We were able to build one of the biggest data centers in the history of Nigeria, an 8.3-petabyte facility.

“Previously, Nigeria’s immigration data was stored in private systems managed by contractors, which violated the Data Protection Act. By delivering this massive data center, one of the largest in the world, we’ve ensured the integrity and security of our national data”, Tunji-Ojo said.

He noted that this development is part of the efforts by the Federal Government to modernize immigration services and improve efficiency in the issuance of critical security documents.

The Minister mentioned that the harmonized visa regime and data management infrastructure reflect FG’s commitment to leveraging technology to strengthen governance and national security.

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