By Ebuka Nwachukwu
The Nigeria Immigration Service, under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior, must understand that transitioning from an existing service or product to a new digital platform in today’s world goes far beyond a jingle on television or ad placements in select newspapers. It requires an all-of-society approach, involving robust stakeholder engagement, buy-in from foreign entities, investment drivers of the national economy, the international community, and critical arms of government directly involved in immigration-related matters, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Secondly, while acknowledging the strides taken by both the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Ministry of Interior, it is essential to reiterate that a migration to a digital platform should be implemented alongside the analogue system for a reasonable transition period — not a rushed one.
Third, the current amnesty period is far too short. Companies and organisations stand to lose millions already invested in existing facilities and are now expected to acquire new ones abruptly. This is counterproductive in a nation striving to attract investors and compete with peer countries like Ghana, Rwanda, Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania, Benin Republic, and Kenya, all of which offer investor-friendly immigration policies. These nations are leveraging flexible, secure, and digital visa and residence systems to woo global investors across sectors such as hospitality, tourism, sports, ports, mining, AI, and digital technology.
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Fourth, the Ministry of Interior must be cautious not to act as both driver and passenger in this process. It must empower the Nigeria Immigration Service to function fully as the enforcement agency and service provider, as originally designed. The service personnel have been trained for this role. Without a proper awareness campaign and inclusive stakeholder engagement, the system is at risk of collapse, and Nigeria may face reciprocal restrictions from other nations due to the hurried digitisation currently underway.
Fifth, the Ministry and the Immigration Service must engage thoroughly with all stakeholders, not just a select group, and conduct extensive awareness campaigns that carry along the end-users of these services and the organisations that pay the associated fees.
As concerned citizens, we must remind the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service that the e-Visa and e-CERPAC systems were established on agreed platforms with specific terms and conditions. These were not designed for abrupt dismantling. A smooth transition is necessary, not a quick-fix approach. Considerable resources were committed by previous service providers in deploying the earlier systems. Therefore, a responsible and phased winding-down process is crucial, one that safeguards the interests of all stakeholders.
Whether it’s the new e-Visa, e-CERPAC, or the move to centralised passport production, these are highly technical services. They demand professional handling, clear technology transfer protocols, and respect for the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. The effectiveness of the new system depends on proper handover and continuity.
Above all, the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service must ensure that the transition process is lawful, inclusive, and carefully detailed, with input from all parties concerned, for the greater good of our nation.
The Coalition is calling for an urgent extension of the amnesty period, to allow for a thorough public awareness campaign, stakeholder consultations, and engagements with end-users through public hearings and open forums.