The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has allayed fears over the federal government’s cancellation of the visa-on-arrival policy.
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had recently said the Nigerian government plans to discontinue the policy which he said was unsustainable. This sent jittery to foreign investors.
However, the Director-General of PEBEC, Mrs Zahrah Audu, noted that the council was working to find a solution to the decision.
“We understand the anxiety this has caused among the foreign community and would like to assure all stakeholders that PEBEC is actively engaging with the Minister of Interior to find a solution,” she said in a statement on Monday.
“Our primary objective is to strengthen security around the VOA process while maintaining the policy, which has been instrumental in promoting tourism, trade, and investment in Nigeria.
“We believe that with collaboration and dialogue, we can address the security issues identified and achieve a secure and efficient VOA process that benefits all parties involved,” she explained.
Mrs Audu reiterated PEBEC’s resolve to ensure an improvement in the “ease of doing business in Nigeria.”
She said, “We have implemented various initiatives to simplify procedures, reduce bottlenecks, and create a more conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive.”
“While the minister’s comment has caused concerns in several quarters, the PEBEC DG is calling for calm, expressing the council’s commitment to resolve this matter.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria remains an attractive destination for investors, tourists, and businesses alike,” she added.
According Mr Tunji-Ojo, taking the decision was a matter of national security.
“Security is not a sector where you can afford to be 99.9 per cent correct. You just have to be 100 per cent. We believe that it is better for us to take decisions based on objectivity rather than subjectivity,” Mr Tunji-Ojo said.
“Of course, that will lead to the cancellation of the visa-on-arrival process because the visa-on-arrival we understand is not a system that works, because I don’t expect you to just come into my country without me knowing that you are coming into my country.
“No, it is never done anywhere, and of course, we are also introducing what we call the landing and exit card.
“We do it now, but it is manual. We are not going to be doing that anymore. This is 2025. This is not 1825. So, technology must take its place,” he added.