….Black list is for serious offenders who will face bans of up to 10 years
Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s minister of interior, announced recently, that under the new e-visa system, foreign nationals will be categorised into either a White, Grey or Black list, to measure the level of compliance or non-compliance.
This is, however, pending presidential assent.
To support enforcement, the ministry will categorise foreign nationals under three compliance tiers: White list, for fully compliant travellers, Grey list for minor infractions which will incur daily penalties of $15 (effective August 1), and the Black list for serious offenders who will face bans of up to 10 years.
“For foreign nationals, if you overstay by a year, that’s not a mistake. That’s a deliberate violation, and there will be consequences”, Tunji-Ojo said.
The minister explained that the initiative, which is part of the administration’s broader goal which seeks to flag overstays as it replaces the current visa-on-arrival framework with a fully digital platform.
“What we’ve proposed is more than just a visa upgrade; it’s a strategic tool for managing migration, securing our borders, and unlocking economic potential”.
Read also: New e-visa, passport system to curb corruption – NIS
“We’re digitising everything, overstays will be instantly flagged, your entry and exit will be recorded within minutes, with barcodes and QR codes”, he stated.
“The new e-visa will include scannable QR codes, thereby eliminating counterfeit documents. The aim is to modernise entry procedures, improve national security, and stimulate foreign investment”, he said.
Tunji-Ojo emphasised that Nigeria is not acting in isolation. “Countries like Australia, the UAE, Morocco, and South Africa have already embraced e-visa platforms for short-stay visitors. We are simply aligning ourselves with global standards”, he said.
Once implemented, the new system is expected to not only simplify the visa process but also bolster investor confidence and improve the international perception of Nigeria’s border control mechanisms.
Visas must evolve beyond entry permits
Tunji-Ojo emphasised the need for a paradigm shift in the way visas are perceived and implemented, stating that they should serve not only as entry permits but also as tools for migration governance and economic advancement.
“A visa should not merely grant access to a country, but must function as a strategic instrument for managing migration and fostering economic growth,” he said. “We must establish a system that attracts investors rather than deterring them.”
As part of the proposed reforms, visa applicants will no longer be required to travel to embassies or consulates to complete their applications. Nigerians residing in cities such as Vancouver, Glasgow or Cardiff, for instance, would be spared the inconvenience of travelling to national capitals for visa processing.
Read also: Thailand launches e-visa system for Nigerians, other West/Central African nations
He also criticised the previous structure, under which a single immigration officer was responsible for handling the entire visa process—from receipt to approval, a system he described as “unacceptable”.
He maintained that the introduction of a centralised visa approval centre would significantly enhance transparency, improve operational efficiency, and substantially reduce the risk of corrupt practices.
Responding to concerns about the dependability of a fully digitised system, the minister, who is a certified ethical hacker with extensive experience in information technology, offered assurances that robust infrastructure and safeguards were already in place.
“Every technological solution has its vulnerabilities, but we’ve taken proactive measures,” he stated. “We have integrated redundancies and contingency protocols to ensure continuous service delivery. In technology, you plan for the worst and prepare for resilience.”
As part of the broader digital migration strategy, traditional paper-based landing and departure forms will be phased out and replaced with automated digital cards.
This, he explained, will streamline entry and exit procedures while enhancing data accuracy and security at Nigeria’s ports of entry.
