By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s migration management framework through reforms aimed at enhancing national security, improving service delivery and facilitating investment into the country.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this while receiving the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mohammed Bello Shehu, and his delegation during a courtesy visit to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the Head of Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Mary Ali, the meeting focused on strengthening inter-agency collaboration and improving policy coordination among government institutions.
Tunji-Ojo stressed that effective collaboration among Ministries, Departments and Agencies is essential for achieving the Federal Government’s policy objectives, especially in areas that require coordinated implementation.
He noted that the RMAFC plays a strategic role in promoting institutional alignment while supporting revenue optimisation across government institutions.
Highlighting ongoing reforms within the ministry, the minister said efforts were underway to reposition Nigeria’s migration system to make it more efficient, transparent and supportive of economic activities without compromising national security.
“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,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo disclosed that the ministry had introduced an electronic visa system designed to address longstanding challenges associated with visa processing while improving Nigeria’s competitiveness as an investment destination.
According to him, the new system enables end-to-end digital processing of visas, including the issuance of secure QR-coded visas, which significantly reduces processing timelines and administrative bottlenecks.
The minister also revealed the deployment of an integrated digital platform for administering the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) and expatriate quota system.
He explained that the platform facilitates real-time data exchange with the Nigeria Immigration Service, eliminates the activities of unauthorized intermediaries and enhances transparency and accountability in application processing.
Tunji-Ojo added that the initiative was already yielding improvements in compliance and operational efficiency.
He further clarified that issues relating to citizenship are strictly governed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, noting that investor-friendly residency options could only be pursued within the framework of existing laws.
Earlier in his remarks, RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Bello Shehu outlined the constitutional mandate of the commission, which includes ensuring that revenues due to the federation are properly collected and distributed in accordance with established laws.
He also highlighted the commission’s responsibility for determining remuneration for political office holders and judicial officers, as well as periodically reviewing the revenue allocation formula for the three tiers of government.
Shehu commended the Ministry of Interior for its contributions to improved revenue inflows and reaffirmed the commission’s oversight role over revenue-generating agencies such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Nigeria Customs Service and the solid minerals sector to ensure accurate accounting and remittance into the Federation Account.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Investment Monitoring Committee of the commission and Federal Commissioner representing Anambra State, Enefe Ekene, said the visit was aimed at exploring a strategic alliance with the Ministry of Interior in areas such as citizenship by investment and safeguarding the solid minerals sector.
He noted that the committee’s mandate includes monitoring government investments and initiatives designed to attract foreign direct investment into Nigeria.
