In a move that aligns with a broader trend of African nations tightening their borders, the Nigerian government has announced plans to abolish its Visa-on-Arrival policy, citing inefficiencies and security risks. Instead, visitors will now be required to pre-fill landing and exit cards before arriving in the country, a policy that will allow for better screening and migration management.
The decision, announced by Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on Friday, February 16, marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s immigration policy and underlines a departure from the more open approach that was once championed by African nations under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. The AfCFTA, which officially came into force in 2021, aims to promote the free movement of people and goods across Africa’s borders.
However, the growing trend of countries tightening their visa policies—including those of Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya—suggests that the dream of a fully integrated African economy may remain elusive.
Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 17 (June 9 – Sept 6, 2025) today for early bird discounts. Do annual for access to Blucera.com.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and co-invest in great global startups.
Register to become a better CEO or Director with Tekedia CEO & Director Program.
Tunji-Ojo, speaking at the closing ceremony of a week-long training on Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data in national security and law enforcement at the headquarters of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Abuja, emphasized that the current Visa-on-Arrival system has been compromised by criminals who use it as an easy entry point into the country.
According to him, intelligence reports indicate that criminal elements have exploited loopholes in the visa-on-arrival system, using neighboring countries as entry points into Nigeria through its vast and porous land borders. He announced that in response, the government would extend the API/PNR system to land borders, making it much harder for undocumented individuals to enter the country undetected.
“What the API, PNR gives us is objectivity in decision making, objective profiling, not subjective profiling. What we had was subjective. The visa system, that is one of the core, because I always tell people the visa is not just an approval of entry, it is a migration management device. It is a security device to manage migration into your country,” he said.
The Shift Away from Open Borders in Africa
Nigeria’s decision to cancel the Visa-on-Arrival policy follows a growing wave of African nations tightening visa restrictions, a development that runs counter to the goals of the AfCFTA, which seeks to create the world’s largest free trade area by enabling the seamless movement of goods, services, and people across the continent.
The AfCFTA was designed to unite 54 of Africa’s 55 countries into a single market, fostering regional integration, economic growth, and intra-African trade. Advocates of the agreement believe that allowing for the free movement of businesspeople and professionals would enhance investment opportunities and create a more competitive African market valued at approximately $3.4 trillion.
However, recent developments suggest that key economies on the continent are not fully committed to the free movement aspect of AfCFTA, a situation largely attributed to insecurity. In addition to Nigeria’s visa crackdown, countries such as Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa have all introduced more stringent visa measures over the past year, citing security concerns and the need for tighter migration controls.
These policy shifts have led to growing skepticism about whether AfCFTA can ever be fully implemented. Many analysts believe that, while economic integration is desirable, insecurity, terrorism, and cross-border crime make the free movement of people a politically sensitive issue that governments are increasingly unwilling to embrace.
Security Concerns Trumping Economic Integration
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior justified the decision by pointing to the need for objective migration control, arguing that the existing visa system was too subjective and vulnerable to abuse.
He also criticized the role of Nigerian foreign attachés in visa approvals, stating that visa decisions should no longer be left to discretion but should be entirely automated and subject to rigorous screening.
“We do not want foreign attachés approving and issuing visas. It is not going to be that anymore. We want to screen people more. Nigeria is not a safe haven for criminals and will never be,” he added.
Security concerns, particularly regarding terrorism, human trafficking, and economic sabotage, have been at the center of Nigeria’s decision. The government argues that criminal networks have taken advantage of lenient visa policies, allowing wanted individuals to enter Nigeria under false pretenses.
The tightening of immigration controls is expected to be implemented between March 1 and April 1, 2024, and will include measures such as mandatory pre-filled landing and exit cards, integration of visa processing with global security databases, and real-time tracking of foreign nationals.
“The e-visa solution will be integrated with Interpol, criminal record systems, and other background-checking agencies, so we can take more informed decisions,” Tunji-Ojo said.
The Future of AfCFTA and Free Movement in Africa
The AfCFTA was heralded as a transformative economic agreement that could reshape trade on the continent by removing barriers, harmonizing regulations, and encouraging intra-African business. However, its ambitious vision rests on the ability of African nations to trust one another and open their borders for the free movement of professionals, entrepreneurs, and workers.
The recent wave of stricter visa policies—led by the continent’s largest economies—raises concerns that AfCFTA may never be fully realized. Many African governments fear that without proper security measures, open borders could exacerbate existing challenges such as illegal migration, terrorism, and cross-border crime.
Security experts argue that, while free movement is a noble goal, it cannot be prioritized over national security concerns. Given the instability in regions such as the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes, some governments believe that allowing unrestricted travel could make it easier for criminal networks, insurgents, and traffickers to operate across borders.
There are also economic concerns driving the decision to tighten visa policies. Some African nations worry that free movement could lead to an influx of economic migrants from poorer regions, placing pressure on local job markets and public resources.
The decision by Nigeria and other African nations to reverse or tighten their visa policies is widely seen as a setback for regional integration efforts. While trade barriers are being lifted under AfCFTA, restrictions on movement suggest that true economic unity remains a distant goal.
Economists have noted that the challenge facing African leaders now is how to balance national security with the vision of an integrated African market. If major economies like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa continue to prioritize border restrictions over AfCFTA’s free movement agenda, it raises fundamental questions about the future of the agreement.