The Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) has unveiled the theme for its 2026 annual conference, with stakeholders set to examine the impact of Nigeria’s immigration reforms on the country’s tourism industry.
Tagged “ANJET 2026 Conference,” the one-day gathering of tourism practitioners, government officials and other industry stakeholders will hold in October at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, under the theme: “Nigerian Tourism Industry and the Nigerian Immigration Service Reforms.”
According to ANJET, the theme was carefully chosen to examine the critical link between immigration and tourism, particularly the role of visa policies and border-entry procedures in attracting international visitors, investors and tourists to Nigeria.
The association said the conference would beam the spotlight on the immigration reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and implemented by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) under the supervision of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Participants, including key tourism industry practitioners and officials of the NIS, are expected to examine why the reforms became necessary, assess their effectiveness and determine how they have impacted Nigeria’s tourism fortunes.
The conference will also review the new visa regime and whether it has addressed the longstanding difficulties experienced by foreigners seeking Nigerian visas, as well as the extent to which the reforms have improved seamless access into the country through international airports, land borders and seaports.
Among the industry experts expected to discuss the theme are Dr. Yinka Folami, President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), and Hajia Bolaji Mustapha, National President of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), alongside other stakeholders.
ANJET recalled that before the recent reforms, Nigeria’s immigration processes were widely regarded as cumbersome, with tourists and business travellers facing difficulties obtaining visa appointments and securing entry visas.
The association noted that even the introduction of the visa-on-arrival system did not completely eliminate the challenges, as visitors continued to encounter difficulties at various entry points.
According to ANJET, travellers entering Nigeria through some airports and land borders also faced difficulties navigating entry procedures and, in some instances, encountered opaque levies and alleged extortion.
The association said the Federal Government, recognising the need to address the challenges, embarked on far-reaching reforms under the Ministry of Interior and the NIS.
A major component of the reforms was the streamlining of Nigeria’s visa regime.
ANJET said that from May 1, 2025, Nigeria introduced a new visa system that reduced the number of visa categories from 79 to 44, with the objective of simplifying application procedures for international visitors and foreign investors.
The reforms also introduced a fully electronic visa (e-Visa) system through the NIS, alongside digital landing and exit cards designed to improve the tracking of travellers, strengthen border management and curb overstays.
Another component of the reforms was the digitalisation of expatriate quota and residency processes, linking company quota approvals to an online platform for real-time processing of residence permits, including e-CERPAC and e-TWP.
The initiative was designed to eliminate unnecessary intermediaries, reduce processing loopholes and make applications for new expatriate quotas, renewals and facility changes more efficient.
The reforms further introduced paperless e-visas with QR codes and digitised landing and exit cards as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s immigration system and improve the country’s border-control architecture.
ANJET said these and other aspects of the reforms would come under scrutiny at the October conference, as stakeholders seek to determine whether the changes are delivering the desired improvements in Nigeria’s tourism and travel environment.
The association said the conference would provide an opportunity for government agencies and private-sector operators to engage constructively on remaining challenges and identify practical measures to make Nigeria more accessible and attractive to international tourists and investors.
