The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a centralised system to authenticate and verify all travel documents in Nigeria in a bid to combat immigration and document fraud.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed this on Tuesday during a meeting in Abuja with the United Kingdom’s Minister of State, David Hanson, accompanied by delegates from the UK Home Office, National Crime Agency, and the British High Commission.
According to Tunji-Ojo, the new system will enable real-time verification of various documents such as passports, bank statements, and certificates at a single centre, thereby eliminating the inefficiencies of contacting multiple issuing agencies.
“One of the key drivers of rising document fraud is the absence of a centralised, real-time verification system,” he stated. “Currently, if someone submits 20 documents, you may need to contact 20 different issuing agencies to verify them. That breeds inefficiency.”
He noted that the initiative forms part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to lead regional efforts in enhancing border control, adding that a regional border conference is in the works to develop tailored strategies to tackle migration and border-related challenges.
The minister also announced that Nigeria’s EU visa solution platform will go live on May 1, aimed at speeding up visa processing while safeguarding national security. Applicants will now receive a response—approval or rejection—within 24 to 48 hours.
Tunji-Ojo highlighted the Tinubu administration’s focus on preventing fraud rather than merely reacting to it. “Our performance will be judged not by the number of convictions or recoveries but by how many crimes or frauds we prevent,” he said.
In response, the UK Minister of State, David Hanson, expressed support for Nigeria’s initiatives and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to deepening cooperation on criminal justice, migration, and trade.
“The National Crime Agency, the High Commission, and the Home Office are ready to extend a hand of partnership,” Hanson said.
The meeting signals a renewed bilateral effort to improve border security, streamline documentation processes, and promote international cooperation.
