In a related development the Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is canvassing the support of the international community towards a new seamless visa regime to strengthen the nation’s foreign travel management, and enhance bilateral cooperation.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Maitama Tuggar in his remarks at the unveiling of new visa regime aimed facilitating and securing the visa application process, informed diplomats and foreign partners that the new consular biometric data verification policy is aimed at protecting the integrity of citizens, securing the visa application process, and facilitating seamless travel while safeguarding the sovereignty of all involved nations.
Tuggar explained that this policy, which enjoys full inter- agency backing, has three core objectives of eliminating identity fraud, discouraging the use of unauthorized third-party agents to obtain and handle sensitive personal data outside government oversight, and enhancing mutual accountability by allowing countries and destinations to verify applicants in real time using Nigeria’s National Identification Number, NIN, as the primary reference point.
