The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening identity verification in consular services as part of efforts to bolster the country’s evolving visa regime.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during a presentation by ASFAAR a visa and tour company, Tuggar said the Federal Government is enhancing collaboration among relevant agencies to improve identity verification for Nigerians applying for visas and other consular services abroad.
This renewed focus follows recent directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu instructing all federal agencies involved in consular and immigration matters to strictly adhere to Nigeria’s international visa obligations, especially in response to policy shifts by the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
“The Federal Government’s policy, in collaboration with ASFAAR and the Council on Biometric Data Verification Policy, is aimed at protecting the integrity of our citizens,” Tuggar said. “It is designed to secure the visa application process, facilitate seamless travel, and uphold the sovereignty of involved nations, with full inter-agency support.”
He stressed that the initiative is intended to eliminate identity fraud and ensure that only properly vetted Nigerian applicants are granted visas at embassies and high commissions. He also cautioned against the use of unauthorised third-party agents who collect sensitive personal data outside of official channels, warning that such practices pose serious national and international security risks.
The minister explained that the policy would enable real-time verification of visa applicants using Nigeria’s National Identification Number (NIN) as the primary reference, thereby ensuring accountability and transparency throughout the application process.
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According to Tuggar, the ASFAAR platform, which integrates directly with Nigeria’s national identity infrastructure, complies fully with national data protection laws and global standards. He encouraged Nigerian diplomatic missions to adopt the system and consider policies around assurance and visa refunds.
“This is not just a domestic regulation,” he said. “It is a cooperative tool designed to benefit all parties. It will allow embassies to process legitimate applications more efficiently and reduce the risks of overstays, trafficking, impersonation, and visa abuse.”
Chairman and CEO of ASFAAR, Dr. Jamil Hausawi, described the platform as a support tool not a replacement for existing consular procedures. He said it was designed to enhance transparency, verification, and efficiency in managing outbound travel.
“ASFAAR provides secure access to verified applicant data, sends real-time alerts, and confirms biometric identity,” Hausawi said.
He also highlighted recent communications from the U.S. government outlining new visa rules for Nigerian nationals based on concerns about high overstay rates and the need for more reliable identity verification.
Hausawi assured that ASFAAR would operate in full compliance with Nigerian laws, prioritising applicants’ data privacy while working with relevant government agencies and diplomatic missions.
The event drew representatives from the Ministry of Aviation, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and members of the diplomatic corps.
