FG promises 48-hour visa processes for investors

..says system stalling ease of doing business

Kunle Sanni

The Federal Government has announced that it is simplifying its visa process to allow individuals interested in investing in Nigeria to obtain a visa within 48 hours.

This decision was made during the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, shared this update with State House Correspondents, emphasizing that the visa review is aimed at improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Westernpost earlier reported that the FEC approved a tripartite committee to oversee this process.

The minister explained that this action would ensure the smoothness of the country’s visa acquisition processes, which are already cumbersome and not investment-friendly.

Idris said, “Now, the Federal Executive Council has noted that our visa processes are becoming cumbersome and this is not encouraging investors to come in easily because, as the President has indicated, the ease of doing business is also tied to the ease of visa application.

“Therefore, the FEC has set up a committee to look at our visa processes to reduce the cumbersome nature of these visa processes, meaning that those investors or tourists who want to come into Nigeria will find it a lot easier to go into this country provided they follow all the laid down processes.

“This includes the e-visa platform, which has already been discussed. The Federal Government is also mulling the idea of every visa application being processed within the next 48 hours.”

The e-visa process in Nigeria is a part of a larger effort to streamline and modernize the country’s visa system, as outlined in the Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2020.

The e-visa system allows non-Nigerians visiting the country to apply online. Applicants are required to complete an electronic application form, upload necessary documents, and pay the required fees.