Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, has announced plans to implement a centralized system for the authentication and verification of all travel documents in the country. The announcement was made during a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday with David Hanson, the United Kingdom’s Minister of State, who was accompanied by officials from the UK Home Office, National Crime Agency, and the British High Commission.
Tunji-Ojo highlighted that the new initiative aims to address issues related to immigration and document fraud, particularly at border control points. He explained that one of the primary causes of document fraud is the lack of a centralized, real-time verification system.
“Currently, verifying multiple documents means contacting various agencies, which is inefficient. Our proposed system will enable real-time verification of documents—such as passports, bank statements, and certificates—at a single point,” he said.
The Minister also announced Nigeria’s readiness to lead the development of a regional strategy for border control, stressing the need for customized approaches to address regional differences in migration and border issues. “A one-size-fits-all approach won’t work. That’s why we’re planning a regional border conference to develop adaptable strategies to tackle migration challenges,” he added.
Tunji-Ojo further shared that Nigeria’s EU visa solution platform would go live on May 1, streamlining processing and enhancing international cooperation while safeguarding national security and encouraging investment. He noted that the new policy would ensure responses to EU visa applications within 24 to 48 hours.
In line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, Tunji-Ojo emphasized the administration’s commitment to preventing corruption rather than merely responding to it. “Our success will be measured not by the number of convictions, but by how many crimes and frauds we prevent,” he said.
David Hanson, in his remarks, reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to working closely with Nigeria to improve criminal justice outcomes. He mentioned that the UK is reviewing its e-visa and migration policies while seeking to expand trade, business, and skills development opportunities with Nigeria.
Hanson expressed readiness for continued collaboration, saying, “The UK is eager to maintain strong engagement with Nigeria, and we look forward to expanding our partnership in tackling crime and fraud.”