Zahrah Audu
Zahrah Audu, director general of Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), says concerns over plans to end visa-on-arrival (VOA) policy will be addressed.
On Friday, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, said the federal government would cancel the policy and replace it with landing and exit cards, which prospective visitors will pre-fill before coming into the country.
The visa-on-arrival policy was unveiled in 2020 as a short-stay visa issued at the point of entry.
Tunji-Ojo said there is a need to harmonise the immigration data centre and have integrated solutions for decisions that border on migration into Nigeria.
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In a statement issued on Monday, Audu said the plan to stop the policy has “elicited fears” among foreign investors, adding that the council would work with the minister to find a solution.
“We understand the anxiety this has caused among the foreign community and would like to assure all stakeholders that PEBEC is actively engaging with the Minister of Interior to find a solution,” the statement reads.
“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.
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“We believe that with collaboration and dialogue, we can address the security issues identified and achieve a secured 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.”
Audu urged travellers to remain calm and confident in the council’s ability to resolve the issue, noting that Nigeria remains an attractive destination for investors, tourists, and businesses.
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