The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has unveiled plans to implement a centralised system for verifying and authenticating travel documents across Nigeria.He shared the initiative during a meeting in Abuja with UK Minister of State David Hanson, accompanied by officials from the UK Home Office, National Crime Agency, and British High Commission.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the move aims to curb document and immigration fraud, particularly at border points. He highlighted the current inefficiencies in verifying documents through multiple issuing bodies, noting that a single, real-time verification hub would streamline the process.
The proposed system would support instant authentication of documents such as bank statements, certificates, and passports. He also indicated Nigeria’s readiness to lead the development of a regional border strategy, stressing the importance of tailored solutions to address diverse challenges.
A regional border conference is being planned to establish adaptable yet cohesive approaches to migration and security issues.Tunji-Ojo also revealed that Nigeria’s EU visa solution platform would launch on May 1, enabling quicker processing times and stronger international collaboration. The system is designed to deliver visa decisions within 24 to 48 hours. He tied the project to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, underlining a shift towards crime prevention as the metric for success in governance.
David Hanson expressed the UK’s continued support for enhancing Nigeria’s justice system and border controls. He mentioned that the UK is reviewing its e-visa policies and exploring expanded cooperation in trade, security, and skills development. Hanson reaffirmed the commitment of the UK’s institutions to work closely with Nigeria in fighting fraud and strengthening bilateral ties. Source : https://punchng.com/
