FG Highlights Seamless Visa Policy to Boost Diplomatic Ties

To improve bilateral collaboration and boost the country’s foreign travel management, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is enlisting the help of the international community to implement a new, seamless visa system.

During his remarks at the unveiling of a new visa regime on Thursday, which is being supported by ASFAAR, a visa and tour company in Abuja, Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Maitama Tuggar told diplomats and foreign partners that the new consular biometric data verification policy is intended to protect the integrity of citizens, secure the visa application process, and facilitate seamless travel while preserving the sovereignty of all involved nations.

He clarified that the three main goals of this policy, which has full interagency support, are to: prevent identity fraud and guarantee that only legitimate and screened Nigerian applicants receive visas from embassies and high commissions; deter the use of unapproved third-party agents to obtain and handle sensitive personal data without government oversight, which poses a serious risk to national and international security; and improve mutual accountability by enabling countries and destinations to verify applicants in real-time using Nigeria’s National Identification Number, or NIN, as the primary reference point.

Nigeria is using this technology on a validated platform that complies completely with international best practices and Nigerian data protection legislation through the ASFAAR system.

In order to confirm the legitimacy of our applicants in the country, it is made to interface directly with Nigeria’s national identity infrastructure. Additionally, as part of the energy platform and energy system, the strategy aims to promote missions and develop insurance and visa-free finance mechanisms.

This is more than just domestic regulation, Your Excellencies. This is a collaborative tool for both parties’ gain. It lowers risk by enabling your embassies to process valid applications more quickly.
It assists us in ensuring that Nigerians who go overseas do so in a responsible, law-abiding, and dignified manner.

By reducing overstays, trafficking, jail, and missile abuse, it improves security for all parties involved. To be clear, this policy applies to all consular posts and is not specific to any one country.

Nigeria requests international assistance in coordinating your insurance and visa procedures with this framework. Nigeria is certain that with your insight and good intentions, you would see that this action is about credibility, cooperation, and coordination rather than domination. By cooperating, we preserve the dignity of our nationals and the integrity of our consular procedures.

The minister emphasised, “Your Excellencies, as the process is being implemented, we urge you to designate visa officers to interface with ASFAAR, who seamlessly connect with Nigeria’s Identity Management Commission and other relevant agencies to conduct verification as a mandatory part of the T application process for Nigerian citizens.”

Amb. Tuggar promised that the visa policy would be transparent, stating that “this policy represents a new chapter of trust, the platform currently faces a rule of authorizing missions with Gulf and Arab countries considering the high volume of Nigerian travelers for pilgrimage, education, employment, and other purposes.”

Read Also: Verydarkman Slams KWAM 1 Over Abuja Airport Drama, Says He’d Be Detained in Advanced Nation

“Onboard for interested missions, training and involvement in the loyalty office, secure dashboard setup, data protection instruction, and information security are all excluded from this rule. Your Excellency ASFAAR is a resounding endorsement of Nigeria’s efforts to promote responsible mobility via legal collaboration, a reliable system, and online openness.
It serves as a conduit for deeper involvement with a goal based on respect for one another and shared accountability. ASFAAR is prepared to accept your opinions and interest. We encourage your team to get in touch with us in order to discuss potential areas of cooperation and partnership. Together, we can create a framework for mobility that upholds lawfulness, dignity, and international cooperation.

“We are available, responsive, and willing to work together to address concerns or make any necessary improvements for your mission-specific needs, as well as to deter illegal agents from handling visa procedures outside of authorized channels or intercepting them. “Let us walk this path together,” he said.

The initiative’s goals are to improve outbound travel management, uphold the integrity of visas, and foster bilateral collaboration between Nigeria and friendly nations that participate in the new procedure, according to Dr. Jamil Hausawi, Chairman/CEO of ASFAAR.

The effort underlines the rising need to improve bilateral collaboration between Nigeria and friendly Gulf and Arab nations, boost our international travel management, and uphold the integrity of visas.

It is an infrastructure developed in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that supports efficiency, transparency, and the verification of Nigerian nationals traveling overseas.
Relevant government organizations, such as those in charge of data management, border security, and identity verification, are assisting in the implementation of its operations and design.

“It performs identity use, sends real-time alerts, and offers secure access to verified applicant data.” Analytics from biometrics are helpful. It is linked to Nigeria’s national identity system, which aids in better risk management and larger, more-informed decision-making by officials.