By Dauda Ismail
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said that the Visa on Arrival, VOA, process is not being scrapped,but rather upgraded to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
He gave this assurance yesterday, when the Director General, DG, of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council,, PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu,met with the Honourable Minister to discuss the VOA process.
The meeting aimed to address concerns and clarify the government’s stance on the VOA initiative.
In a press release dated February 25 and signed by the DG, she stressed that, this development is in line with PEBEC’s efforts to simplify procedures and reduce bureaucratic constraints to doing business in Nigeria.
“The Minister further clarified. that travellers will still be able to apply online for short-stay visas, with approvals being granted within 24 to 48 hours.
“Once approved,the visa will be sent to the applicant’s email, thereby eliminating the need for a physical sticker upon arrival.
“This upgrade builds upon the existing online approval system,streamlining the process and enabling travellers to receive their approvals ahead of time,” the statement read.
“This enhanced system aims to cut out inefficiencies,allowing Nigeria to better automate and control the inflow of travellers.
“With this upgrade,the country takes another step towards improving its business environment and attracting foreign investment,” the statement concluded.
Recall that on Monday February 24, Princess Audu had admonished the foreign community to remain calm on the cancellation of Visa on Arrival, VOA, while her office works to resolve the issue, stating that, “Our primary objective is to strengthen security around the VOA process while maintaining the policy, which has been instrumental in promoting tourism, trade, and investment in Nigeria. We believe that with collaboration and dialogue, we can address the security issues identified and achieve a secure and efficient VOA process that benefits all parties involved.
“PEBEC has a proven track record of driving reforms to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria. We have implemented various initiatives to simplify procedures, reduce bottlenecks, and create a more conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive.”
With today’s meeting with the Minister, she has not only fulfilled her promise to foreign residents on her office working to resolve the issue, but she has further doused tensions and the misinformation already being propagated on the matter.
