FG Tightens Migration Framework to Boost Security, Attract Investment

FG Tightens Migration Framework to Boost Security, Attract Investment

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Federal Government has reaffirmed plans to overhaul Nigeria’s migration management framework as part of broader efforts to strengthen national security, streamline service delivery and attract foreign investment.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Thursday while receiving the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu, and his delegation during a courtesy visit to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

The minister stressed that collaboration among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) remains crucial to achieving policy outcomes, especially in areas requiring coordinated implementation.

He noted that the RMAFC plays a vital role in aligning institutions and supporting revenue generation across government.

He said ongoing reforms within the ministry are aimed at making Nigeria’s migration processes more efficient and transparent, while safeguarding national interests.

“The Ministry is committed to repositioning Nigeria’s migration system to be more efficient, transparent, and supportive of economic activities, while maintaining the highest standards of national security,” Tunji-Ojo said.

As part of the reforms, the minister revealed that an electronic visa platform has been introduced to address longstanding bottlenecks in visa processing.

According to him, the system enables end-to-end digital processing, including the issuance of QR-coded visas, thereby cutting down delays and improving Nigeria’s appeal to investors.

He also disclosed the deployment of a digital platform for managing the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) alongside the expatriate quota system.

The platform, he said, allows real-time data sharing with the Nigeria Immigration Service, eliminates the role of unauthorised agents and enhances transparency in processing applications.

Tunji-Ojo added that the reforms are already yielding results in terms of compliance and operational efficiency.

On citizenship matters, the minister maintained that the process remains guided by constitutional provisions, while noting that investor-friendly residency pathways could be explored within existing legal frameworks.

Earlier, the RMAFC chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, reiterated the commission’s mandate to ensure that all revenues accruing to the federation are properly accounted for and distributed in line with the law.

He also highlighted the commission’s responsibilities, which include determining the remuneration of political office holders and judicial officers, as well as reviewing the revenue allocation formula among the three tiers of government.

Shehu commended the Ministry of Interior for its role in improving government revenue and assured of the commission’s continued oversight of key revenue-generating agencies, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigeria Customs Service and the solid minerals sector.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Investment Monitoring Committee of the commission and Federal Commissioner representing Anambra State, Hon. Enefe Ekene, said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with the ministry, particularly in the area of citizenship by investment.

He noted that the committee is also focused on safeguarding investments in critical sectors, including solid minerals, as part of efforts to attract and sustain foreign direct investment into the country.

The meeting underscored growing inter-agency cooperation as the government seeks to align migration policies with broader economic and security objectives.