Visa Applications Will Go Fully Online By March 1st, Federal Government Confirms

ABUJA – The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has announced that all visa applications will transition to an online platform by March 1st. This move aims to streamline the process and ensure thorough vetting.

Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, made this known during a discussion on ‘X Spaces’ hosted by influencer Dr. Segun Awosanya.

The Minister revealed the establishment of a centralized visa approval center to unify the visa application system. This reform will bolster national security, reduce corruption, and standardize the visa approval process.

“The centralized visa approval center is a significant milestone for this administration. It will curb corruption, enhance national security, and create uniformity in visa processing. By March 1st, the entire visa application process will be online, allowing for proper vetting,” Dr. Tunji-Ojo stated.

He also highlighted the completion of a harmonized data center at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC), situated at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Sauka, Abuja.

“We have constructed one of the largest data centers in Nigeria’s history – an 8.3-petabyte center. Previously, the Nigeria Immigration Service lacked its own data center, and sensitive information was stored with private contractors, which violated the Data Protection Act.

“To address this, we initially promised a 1.4-petabyte data center, but we surpassed expectations by delivering an 8.3-petabyte facility, which is now one of the largest globally.”

This new infrastructure ensures that Nigeria’s security documents and citizen data are managed with the utmost compliance and security, aligning with international standards.