NIS clarifies visa-on-arrival for Africans

The Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammed Babandede, yesterday, said the visa on arrival for holders of passports of African countries from January next year was to accelerate African integration.

Babandede, who disclosed this in a statement by NIS Public Relations Officer, Sunday James, in Abuja, said the decision would remove barriers hindering free movement of people within the continent, explaining: “Nigeria’s strategic decision is taken to bring down barriers that have hindered free movement of our people within the continent by introducing the visa at the point of entry into Nigeria with effect from January 2020.”

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Babandede assured Nigerians of the Service’s commitment to high professionalism in delivering its services without compromising national security.

Babandede had on December 11 announced the Federal Government’s decision to allow Africans into Nigeria without visa from January next year.