(Ecofin Agency) - The Federal Government of Nigeria has effected a new visa policy under which visas will be processed within 48 hours. This is in line with efforts to attract foreign investors and guarantee ease of doing business in the country.

The government has also given visa waivers to some countries to travel to Nigeria for tourism, business, amongst others without having to obtain a visa.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service has consolidated arrival and departure forms; the Ministry of Interior has drafted a new Visa Policy outlining visa-free entry for certain countries and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a second directive on 48-hour visa processing time,” said Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole.

She disclosed this at a meeting set up to review the readiness of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the government in the 60-Day National Action Plan in Ease of Doing Business.

Speaking at the meeting, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said the National Action Plan once implemented could help save 116,000 minutes of travelling time daily and save exporters 23,500 hours annually on documentation requirements at the ports in order to ease the entry and exit of goods into the country.

Nigeria is ranked 169 out of 190 countries evaluated on World Banks ‘Ease of Doing Business’ 2017 report. It is a slight improvement compared to last year where it was ranked 170th. The evaluation was carried out based on the policies government put in place to guarantee business start-ups, a seamless process in getting permits, or licenses depending on the sector of investment.

Anita Fatunji