Visa-on-arrival as tool for social development

BY OLUSANYA ANJORIN

According to www.iom.int/migration-and-development, ‘’the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes that migration is a powerful driver of sustainable development, for migrants themselves and their communities. It brings significant benefits in the form of skills, strengthening the labour force, investment and cultural diversity, and contributes to improving the lives of communities in their countries of origin through the transfer of skills and financial resources.’’

All over the world visa rules are been bent for different reasons, if you hold an Indian passport and transiting through the international zone of any airport in France, you don’t need an airport transit visa any longer, UAE is now granting a 10-year long-term visa to highly-skilled professionals and investors who are willing to visit the country. These visas are granted to specialists in science, medicine and research. Visas are also being granted to “exceptional students.”

The above statements and many more might what the president considered when he announced on his tweeter handle from Egypt that Nigeria will give all African travelers visas on arrival from January , 2020. In his words, ‘’Nigeria committed to supporting the free movement of Africans in Africa…At the ASWAN FORUM in Egypt, I announced that in January, 2020, we will commence issuance of visas at the point of entry into Nigeria, to all persons holding passports of African countries.’’

It is fact that without flexible immigration policies development might be stifled. Former American President Barrack Obama became the president as a result of migration policy. The current Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan also enjoyed same as a result of flexible rules. According to Wikipedia, The mayor of London is the chief executive of the Greater London Authority. Obviously there are some people who will come to our country to add value likewise some people who will come with sinister plot.

Yes, migration promotes foreign investments. Yes we have various tourist attractions that foreigner might want to visit. Yes, the visa-on-arrival policy will usher in swift response as immigrants don’t have to wait endlessly at the embassies.

What is not clear is whether the policy has been thoroughly brain stormed before pronouncement.
The concerns questions are: Do we have the resources to support an influx of African immigrants at a period we at the peak of poverty index in the world?

Do we have the capacity to contain the influx of foreigner in terms of employment and labour?
Do we have the capacity to track movement of visitors where locations , maps and addresses are vague?
Do our Immigration Service and Security agencies have the capacity to trace those granted visas?

No country in the world is immune against terror; however, it is the responsibility of Immigration Service and security agencies to screen those with genuine intention that want to come to Nigeria.

The International Organisation of Migration (IOM) put it more appropriately when it said that, ‘’ the benefits of migration should not only be seen only from the perspective of what migrants can bring to any given territory. The relationship between migration and development is much more complex: the political, social and economic processes of potential destination countries will also determine how, where and when migration occurs. If migration is poorly governed, it can also negatively impact on development. Migrants can be put at risk and communities can come under strain.’’

It is erroneous to think that visa-on-arrival policy will usher in every Tom, Dick and Harry when we have our immigration service and security agencies. However, the big concern is that we have various porous land borders that we are still battling with at the moment.
The ordinary citizens are also worrying about abuse of power by those charged with the responsibility to screen people. They are bother that the policy will throw the country’s borders open to potential terrorists but as Benjamin Franklin aptly put it, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Anjorin writes from Lagos
He can be reached on: [email protected]