Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Government is enlisting the help of the international community to implement a new, smooth visa system that will improve bilateral collaboration and fortify the country’s foreign travel management.
In 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 automatically verify applicants using Nigeria’s National Identification Number, or NIN, as the primary reference point.
Nigeria is implementing this technology on a validated platform that complies completely with both international best practices and Nigerian data protection regulations through the ASFAAR system.
It is intended to immediately link with Nigeria’s national identity infrastructure in order to verify the legitimacy of our applications there. In addition, the strategy aims to promote missions and develop visa-free funding and insurance modalities as part of the energy system and platform.
“This is not only domestic regulation, Your Excellencies. For both parties’ advantage, this is a cooperative instrument. It lowers risk by expediting the processing of valid applications at your embassies.
When Nigerians travel overseas, it helps us make sure they do it responsibly, lawfully, and with pride and dignity.
“It improves security for all parties involved by reducing trafficking, incarceration, overstays, and missile misuse.” It is important to clarify that this policy is applied consistently throughout all consular missions and is not specific to any kind of country.
Nigeria requests your cooperation on a worldwide scale to align your insurance and visa procedures with this framework. Nigeria has faith that you would recognize that this step is about credibility, cooperation, and coordination rather than control if you are wise and kind. We preserve our nationals’ dignity and the integrity of our consular procedures by cooperating.
The minister emphasized that as the process is being carried out, “Your Excellencies, we implore you to assign visa officers to work with ASFAAR, who effectively communicate with Nigeria’s Identity Management Commission and other pertinent agencies to conduct verification as a mandatory part of the T application process for Nigerian citizens.”
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“This policy represents a new chapter of trust,” Amb. Tuggar said, affirming the openness of the visa regime. “Given the high volume of Nigerian travelers for pilgrimage, education, employment, and other purposes, the platform currently faces a rule of authorizing missions with Gulf and Arab countries.”
This excludes onboarding for missions that are interested, training and engagement at the loyalty office, secure dashboard setting, data protection guidelines, and information security. Nigeria can promote responsible mobility through legal collaboration, a reliable system, and digital transparency, thanks to Your Excellency, ASFAAR.
With a mission based on respect for one another and shared accountability, it serves as a bridge for deeper interaction. In order to investigate potential areas of cooperation and partnership, ASFAAR is prepared to receive your feedback and interest. We can create a framework for mobility that embodies respect, legality, and global cooperation if we work together.
We are available, courteous, and willing to work together to address concerns or make any necessary modifications for your mission-specific requirements, as well as to deter illegal agents from handling visa procedures or intercepting them outside of approved channels. “Let’s travel this path together,” he said.
The initiative’s objectives are to improve bilateral collaboration between Nigeria and friendly nations that participate in the new process, promote outbound travel management, and uphold the integrity of visas, according to Dr. Jamil Hausawi, Chairman/CEO of ASFAAR.
“The initiative reflects a growing need to improve bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and friendly Gulf and Arab countries, solidify visa integrity, and strengthen our foreign travel management.”
It is a cooperative infrastructure developed in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that supports efficiency, transparency, and the verification of Nigerian nationals traveling overseas.
With the assistance of pertinent government organizations, such as those in charge of data management, border control, and identity verification, its operations and design are being carried out.
It sends real-time warnings, uses identity, and offers secure access to verified application data. Biometrics are a valuable analytics tool. Because of its connection to the Nigerian national identity system, officials are able to make better decisions and better control risks.
