The Federal Government has moved to tackle visa fraud and restore international confidence in Nigeria’s outbound travel system following the issuance of a Full Business Case (FBC) Compliance Certificate for the National Digital Diplomatic Platform, ASFAAR.NG.
Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, described the development as a major step towards strengthening digital diplomacy, enhancing security screening, and rebuilding trust with foreign missions through a technology-driven visa verification framework.
A statement at the weekend in Abuja by Alkasim Abdulkadir, his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, indicated the minister said the regulatory approval marked a defining milestone in Nigeria’s drive to modernise its diplomatic architecture and outbound travel management systems.
Tuggar noted that the project complies fully with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) Establishment Act, 2005, and aligns with the National Policy on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
According to him, ASFAAR.NG 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,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s digital diplomacy framework, enhancing citizen protection abroad, and reinforcing trust with international partners through structured and lawful reforms.
Read also: Tunji Disu orders commissioners to tighten security in response to Middle East tensions
The minister emphasised that the FBC clearance represents the highest level of technical, financial, and legal due diligence required for PPP projects, paving the way for implementation following the Project Approval Board’s endorsement.
Tuggar explained that ASFAAR.NG is not merely a technological upgrade but a strategic diplomatic instrument designed to safeguard Nigerian citizens overseas and restore global confidence in Nigeria’s outbound travel ecosystem.
“Originally conceived to address coordination and compliance challenges surrounding Hajj and Umrah travel, the platform has since evolved into a multi-country digital infrastructure for visa facilitation and travel verification.
“The system will integrate with key national institutions, including the National Identity Management Commission and the Nigeria Immigration Service, as well as relevant security agencies.
“Through this integration, visa applicants will be authenticated using biometric and biographic data linked to their National Identification Number (NIN).
“Artificial intelligence tools will also be deployed to profile risks, detect fraudulent documentation, and channel high-risk applications through structured inter-agency vetting before submission to foreign missions”, he noted.
A secure diplomatic interface, Tuggar said, would enable partner embassies—particularly in the Arab and Gulf regions—to receive pre-verified applications with enhanced transparency and confidence.
The minister further stated that the platform would directly advance Nigeria’s constitutional and diplomatic mandate of protecting its citizens abroad while strengthening bilateral relations.
“By institutionalising verification and compliance processes, ASFAAR.NG is expected to rebuild diplomatic trust and bolster Nigeria’s negotiating position in discussions on visa access, potentially restoring and expanding quotas for legitimate travellers”, the minister said.
He added that the system would enhance consular oversight by enabling authorities to monitor outbound travel patterns and intervene promptly when necessary.
Tuggar described ASFAAR.NG as a data-driven governance tool capable of generating reliable intelligence on compliance metrics and demographic trends, thereby supporting national security coordination and evidence-based policymaking.
Unveiled in August 2025, ASFAAR.NG is Nigeria’s first specialised, technology-driven visa application agency.
The platform was introduced to streamline outbound travel processing, curb documentation fraud, and strengthen the integrity of Nigerian travel documentation.
It operates as a collaborative infrastructure supporting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in processing outbound visas to Arab states, countries in Asia and Europe, as well as the United States.
