FG hails new digital visa platform FBC approval

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has lauded the issuance of a Full Business Case (FBC) Compliance Certificate for the National Digital Diplomatic Platform, ASFAAR.NG. Tuggar gave the commendation in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by Alkasim Abdulkadir, his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy. He described the development as a defining milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing reform of its diplomatic and migration management systems. He noted that the project is in compliance with the ICRC Establishment Act, 2005, and the National Policy on Public-Private Partnerships. According to him, the project is structured under a Design-Build-Finance-Operate (DBFO) Public-Private Partnership arrangement with GIIL Technology and Marketing Solutions Ltd. “With regulatory clearance secured, the ministry has approved the project through the newly constituted Project Approval Board to ensure execution of the concession agreement in line with the Unsolicited Proposal Guidelines of the ICRC. “We reaffirm our commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s digital diplomacy architecture, enhancing citizen protection, and reinforcing trust with international partners through structured, lawful, and forward-looking reforms.” The minister also said that the regulatory clearance represents the highest standard of technical, financial, and legal due diligence, adding that it would pave the way for implementation following approval by the Project Approval Board. He explained that ASFAAR.NG is not merely a technological upgrade but a strategic diplomatic instrument carefully designed to protect Nigerian citizens abroad and restore confidence in Nigeria’s outbound travel ecosystem. “Originally conceived to address coordination and compliance challenges associated with Hajj and Umrah travel, the platform has since evolved into a comprehensive, multi-country digital infrastructure for visa facilitation and travel verification. “Through integration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and relevant security agencies, the system will authenticate applicants using biometric and biographic data linked to the National Identification Number (NIN). “In addition, artificial intelligence tools will be deployed to profile risk, detect fraudulent documentation, and route high-risk applications through structured inter-agency vetting before submission to foreign missions. “A secure diplomatic interface will enable partner embassies, particularly in the Arab and Gulf regions, to receive verified applications with enhanced confidence and transparency,” he said. Tuggar further stated that the platform will directly advance its constitutional and diplomatic mandate of safeguarding Nigerians abroad while strengthening bilateral relations. He explained that by institutionalising verification and compliance, ASFAAR.NG is expected to rebuild diplomatic trust and reinforce Nigeria’s position in negotiations, restoring and expanding visa quotas for legitimate travellers. “The system will also strengthen consular oversight by providing a structured framework for monitoring outbound travel patterns and enabling timely interventions where necessary. “Beyond migration management, ASFAAR.NG will serve as a data-driven governance tool, offering reliable intelligence on compliance metrics and demographic trends to support national security coordination and evidence-based policy planning,” he added. PUNCH Online reports that ASFAAR.NG is Nigeria’s first specialised, technology-driven visa application agency, unveiled in August 2025 to streamline travel, curb documentation fraud, and enhance the security and integrity of Nigerian travel documents. It operates as a collaborative infrastructure supporting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in processing outbound visas for Arab states, Asia, Europe, and the United States. (NAN)