₦airaland Forum

The federal ministry of foreign affairs has unveiled Asfaar, Nigeria’s first visa application centre, aimed at processing travel requests and tackling document fraud.

Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, said Asfaar is crucial to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty in its dealings with other countries.

Tuggar, represented by Alkasim Abdulkadir, his special assistant on media and communications strategy, spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during the press launch and media tour of the visa processing facility.

A number of visa service providing agencies operate in Nigeria, including French-owned TLScontact and VFS Global headquartered in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“Before now, one of the major issues that countries have with Nigeria is the sanctity and integrity of its data,” the minister said.

“So what they usually say is that ‘We’re not sure whether its your country, people have fake passports, people are traveling on data of other countries to come to our countries’. These are some of the issues that Nigeria has been facing in the past.

“However, in the last two years, there has been a process to tidy up the data that is coming out of Nigeria.

So, this includes collaboration with ONSA, collaboration with NIMC, collaboration with the ministry of foreign affairs to ensure that the data—the passport and other documents of agencies—are tidied up and have the integral value for it to travel.

“What has now happened is that Asfaar came at the right time, where it is using its processes to ensure a further verification of the data that is provided.”

Jamil Hausawi, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Asfaar, said the agency was created to ease the increasing visa restrictions and challenges faced by Nigerians travelling abroad.

Hausawi noted that while visa approvals remain the responsibility of embassies, applicants using Asfaar will have relevant government agencies step in as intermediaries if issues arise.

He said Asfaar will be launched in three phases, noting that the first phase will cover the Arab and Gulf states, which attract a high traffic of Nigerian travellers — many of whom visit multiple times yearly for hajj and umrah — but where visa restrictions in recent years have posed major challenges.

He added that the second phase will extend to Asia and Australia, while the third phase will span Europe and the US but noted that the rollout would be “gradual”.

Nelson Obiabo, Asfaar spokesperson, noted that the agency has only begun skeletal services with full operation to commence as soon as integration with embassies and consulates is finalised.

Source: https://www.thecable.ng/fg-unveils-asfaar-nigerias-first-visa-application-agency/

Let's see how it goes. Cus everything in the country is tiring

Lagos boys catching out big time since May 2023. A day of reckoning awaits.

When I saw "Asfaar", I thought they were talking about something we exhibited in Japan recently

its a good move we need to take alot of action

note i did not read anything

Ok, let's see then. Hopefully it works. Nigeria is moving

NaijaNaWaa:
Lagos boys catching out big time since May 2023. A day of reckoning awaits.

Charity begins at home says a wise proverb. So be patient.

Nice one everything will be ok with my Belove country 9JA to the World Na just time. WHO GO CRY GO CRY I still Believe in you (GREAT NIGERIA)
ONE LOVE WE MOVE. NO TIME TO HATE.

This is a welcome development which the country will generate revenue from.

Another way of corruption coming up

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givedemwotowoto:
When I saw "Asfaar", I thought they were talking about something we exhibited in Japan recently

Nigeria wasn't interested in that 4x4 booth. Nigeria's goal is far beyond that.

People are eager to leave Nigeria due to bad governance

So what happens to VFS ?


Please spell words correctly when you post, and try to use perfect grammar and punctuation.
22. Don't ask Nairaland

Softmirror:
Nigeria wasn't interested in that 4x4 booth. Nigeria's goal is far beyond that.

But that's the image the people representing their countries will see. When they ask you "Where can we see these things in Nigeria, do you have a brochure?", you start struggling "em em...... I'll give you my personal number, call me when you're ready to visit so I can make security arrangements"

The FG sponsoring an Islamic firm for the benefits of the Muslims

We must be very careful in the country.

I mean we must learn to be wise in making decisions.

Asfaar already, is not only a m u s l i m name, but it clearly went to the Gulf states as its first destination claiming that Nigeria visits there more often.

Which Gulf state do they visit like they visit Europe?

Anyways, after this government, it will fade out.

givedemwotowoto:
But that's the image the people representing their countries will see. When they ask you "Where can we see these things in Nigeria, do you have a brochure?", you start struggling "em em...... I'll give you my personal number, call me when you're ready to visit so I can make security arrangements"

Nobody was there at all. It was intentional. Nothing significant to display in the booths of others. Nigeria went to Japan for something serious.

Misleading. Document verification and not visa application.

NaijaNaWaa:
Lagos boys catching out big time since May 2023. A day of reckoning awaits.

So visa application na way to cash out again??

Why nothing dey satisfy una??

If una wan travel abroad... Una go dey use vfs global and una no go complain but make Nigeria get something similar... Una still see something wrong with am.... Na wa for una o

“Before now, one of the major issues that countries have with Nigeria is the sanctity and integrity of its data,” the minister said.



See rubbish talk. No be keyamo nin dem use 250 naira buy.

Unserious country, unserious government and unserious people

The FG didn't even need to tell Nigerians about whatever they call the centre.

You need to reach the foreign embassies of all the countries you want Nigerians to fill their applications through the centre first. They will direct Nigerian travellers to the centre.

If they don't do this, TSL and its sister companies will still be filling their visa applications and keep sending them to the embassies for them to take their visa decisions.

I don't understand these government officials

Dennisochampa:
So visa application na way to cash out again??

Why nothing dey satisfy una??

If una wan travel abroad... Una go dey use vfs global and una no go complain but make Nigeria get something similar... Una still see something wrong with am.... Na wa for una o

Wetin you dey talk self? Don't you know that it's a contract? You think it was awarded transparently and competitively? Ok oo

Nothing good survives in Nigeria. Watch corruption take over

NewDigitalWorld:
Source: https://www.thecable.ng/fg-unveils-asfaar-nigerias-first-visa-application-agency/

e don create business for Im family

Put additional characters Seun

One major issue I have with the Tinubu administration and APC is their apparent preference for doling out millions to selected individuals rather than investing in critical sectors or driving meaningful development.

NewDigitalWorld:
Source: https://www.thecable.ng/fg-unveils-asfaar-nigerias-first-visa-application-agency/

Another application fee syphon agency
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Its alright. Let me study and understand what they do

NewDigitalWorld:
Source: https://www.thecable.ng/fg-unveils-asfaar-nigerias-first-visa-application-agency/

Expect to pay bribe before they attend to you.

They can tell you that there is no light, and no fuel in their generator , come back tomorrow.

Another excuse will be that their systems are down, and it will go on for months.



Nothing works in this country.

xynerise:
The FG sponsoring an Islamic firm for the benefits of the Muslims

Unah don start 😂

Eyin Omo yes daddy 😂

To read dey tire you 😂