By 
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has unveiled plans to establish a centralised real-time verification system for all travel and identity documents in Nigeria. The announcement came during a high-level meeting in Abuja with the UK’s Minister of State, David Hanson, alongside officials from the UK Home Office, National Crime Agency, and the British High Commission.
RELATED: Nigeria Immigration Service publishes uncollected passport details, breaches data privacy law
Tunji-Ojo stated that the system would streamline the verification of documents such as passports, bank statements, and certificates, thereby eliminating inefficiencies and bottlenecks in border control and immigration procedures.
“The lack of a centralised verification platform is a key enabler of document fraud. We intend to solve that with this new initiative,” the minister said.
Centralised System to Boost Efficiency and Security
Currently, verifying multiple documents often involves reaching out to multiple issuing agencies, leading to delays and increasing the risk of fraud. The proposed central document authentication hub will ensure real-time, single-point verification, significantly improving the integrity of immigration processes and reducing fraud.
Tunji-Ojo added that the initiative supports Nigeria’s vision to become a leader in regional migration security by championing a collaborative, data-driven approach to border control.
Nigeria to Host Regional Border Conference
As part of broader efforts to modernise migration management, the minister revealed plans to convene a regional border security conference to develop adaptable and unified strategies.
“You can’t tackle a heterogeneous issue with a homogeneous approach. Regional challenges demand regional solutions,” he noted.
EU Visa Platform to Launch May 1
Tunji-Ojo also disclosed that Nigeria’s EU visa solution platform will go live on May 1, enabling faster application processing, improved security protocols, and enhanced international collaboration.
“With this system, applicants will receive a response—approval or denial—within 24 to 48 hours,” he stated.
The platform is expected to attract investment, streamline visa approvals, and boost bilateral relations with European Union member states.
Renewed Hope Agenda: From Reaction to Prevention
Speaking on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the minister emphasised the administration’s shift from reactive governance to proactive crime prevention.
“Our success won’t be measured by how many crimes we respond to, but by how many we prevent,” Tunji-Ojo declared.
UK Reaffirms Support for Stronger Bilateral Cooperation
In response, UK Minister of State David Hanson affirmed the UK’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria–UK bilateral cooperation, especially in areas of migration, crime prevention, and justice system reforms.
“We are reviewing our e-visa system and exploring new partnerships in trade, skills development, and law enforcement,” Hanson said.
He praised Nigeria’s proactive steps and assured that UK agencies—including the National Crime Agency, UK Home Office, and the British High Commission—remain ready to support collaborative efforts.
