In order to improve bilateral collaboration and fortify the country’s foreign travel management, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is enlisting the help of the international community to implement a new, smooth visa system.
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 protecting the sovereignty of all involved nations, according to remarks made by Foreign Affairs Minister Amb. Maitama Tuggar at the unveiling of a new visa regime on Thursday that is being supported by ASFAAR, a visa and tour company in Abuja.
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; promote mutual accountability by enabling countries and destinations to verify applicants in real time using Nigeria’s National Identification Number, or NIN, as the primary reference point; and deter the use of unapproved third-party agents to obtain and handle sensitive personal data without government oversight, posing a serious risk to national and international security.
The ASFAAR system, which is entirely compatible with Nigerian data protection regulations and international best practices, is the verified platform on which Nigeria is deploying this technology.
In order to verify the legitimacy of our applicants in the country, it is made to interface directly with Nigeria’s national identity infrastructure. As a component of the energy platform and energy system, the strategy also aims to promote missions and develop insurance and visa-free finance mechanisms.
“Your Excellencies, this goes beyond simple domestic law. This is a collaborative tool that benefits both parties. It lowers risk by assisting your embassies in processing valid applications more quickly.
It helps us make sure that Nigerians who travel overseas do so in a responsible, law-abiding, and dignified manner.
Limiting overstays, trafficking, incarceration, and missile abuse improves security for all parties involved. To be clear, this policy is applied consistently throughout all consular operations and is not specific to any one country.
Nigeria requests your international assistance in coordinating your insurance and visa procedures with this framework. Nigeria is sure that with your insight and good intentions, you would see that this action is about credibility, cooperation, and coordination rather than domination. Together, we preserve the dignity of our nationals and the integrity of our consular procedures.
As the procedure is being carried out, “Your Excellencies, we implore you to assign visa officers to work with ASFAAR, who coordinate with Nigeria’s Identity Management Commission and other pertinent organizations to carry out verification as a necessary step in the T application process for Nigerian nationals,” the minister emphasized.
With the statement, “This policy represents a new chapter of trust, the platform currently faces a rule of authorizing missions with Gulf and Arab countries considering the high volume of Nigerian travelers for purposes of pilgrimage, education, employment, and others,” Amb. Tuggar reassured the audience that the visa regime would be open.
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This excludes information security, data privacy guidelines, secure dashboard configuration, loyalty office involvement and training, and aboard for interested missions. Your Excellency, ASFAAR is a resounding endorsement of Nigeria’s efforts to promote responsible mobility via legal collaboration, a reliable system, and online openness.
It serves as a link for deeper involvement with a goal based on respect for one another and shared accountability. ASFAAR is prepared to receive your thoughts and interest, and we encourage your team to get in touch with us to discuss potential areas of cooperation and partnership. By working together, we can create a framework for mobility that upholds lawfulness, dignity, and international cooperation.
“We are open, responsive, and willing to work together to communicate concerns or make any necessary improvements for your mission-specific needs, as well as to deter illegal agents from handling visa procedures outside of authorized channels or intercepting them. He urged, “Let’s walk this path together.”
Speaking on the effort, Dr. Jamil Hausawi, Chairman/CEO of ASFAAR, stated that its goals are to improve bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and friendly nations that participate in the new procedure, strengthen outboard travel management, and uphold the integrity of visas.
“The initiative reflects a growing need to improve bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and friendly Gulf and Arab countries, strengthen our foreign travel management, and reinforce visa integrity.”
The infrastructure was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the goal of facilitating the efficiency, transparency, and verification of Nigerian nationals traveling overseas.
Relevant government organizations, such as those in charge of data management, border control, and identity verification, are assisting in the implementation of its operations and design.
It performs identification use, gives real-time notifications, and offers secure access to verified application data. Biometrics provides valuable analytics. It is linked to the Nigerian national identity system, which aids in better risk management and larger, better-informed decision-making by officials.
