By Dauda Ismail
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has clarified that the Visa on Arrival, VOA, process was not scrapped, but upgraded to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Tunji-Ojo gave this assurance Tuesday when the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Audu, met him to discuss the VOA process.
The meeting was aimed at addressing concerns and clarify government’s stance on the VOA initiative.
In a press release dated February 25 and signed by the director-general, she stressed that this development was in line with PEBEC’s efforts to simplify procedures and reduce bureaucratic constraints to doing business in Nigeria.
“The minister clarified that travellers will still be able to apply online for short-stay visas, with approval 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.
“This enhanced system aims to cut out in efficiencies, 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.
It would be recalled that on Monday, February 24, Princess Audu had admonished the foreign community to remain calm on the cancellation of VOA, while her office works to resolve the issue, stating that, “Our primary objective is to strengthen the 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 has doused tensions and the misinformation already being propagated on the matter.
