- The minister also revealed that security operatives had recently arrested 10 individuals on INTERPOL’s watch list while they were attempting to enter Nigeria.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced the automation of visa applications, enabling approval decisions within 48 hours.
The minister revealed this in Abuja on Tuesday at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC) launch at the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters.
According to Tunji-Ojo, the automated system completes visa approvals in 48 hours, significantly reducing previous timelines.
He stated, “We now have an automated visa regime with 48 hours of visa approval.”
Automated visa regimes utilize digital systems for efficient visa application processing, minimizing manual intervention.
The minister also disclosed the recent arrest of 10 INTERPOL watch list individuals attempting to enter Nigeria.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the era of unchecked entry for wanted criminal elements is over.
He said, “In the last couple of days, there were 10 people who were on the INTERPOL and immigration wanted list who were apprehended in one week.
“Before now, those people would have entered Nigeria, causing terror.
But we have now told them that under the new leadership, Nigeria is a no-go area for any criminal element.”
President Tinubu’s inaugurated complex includes facilities like the command and control center, NIS data center, ECOWAS biometric card production center, interior data center, and a 0.5KW solar power plant.
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