By: Okechukwu D. Okechukwu & Faith Nkwoukwa
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has welcomed the issuance of a Full Business Case (FBC) Compliance Certificate for the National Digital Diplomatic Platform, ASFAAR.NG, describing it as a major milestone in Nigeria’s diplomatic and migration reform agenda.
In a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, Tuggar said the regulatory clearance signifies full compliance with the ICRC Establishment Act, 2005, and the National Policy on Public-Private Partnerships. The project is structured under a Design-Build-Finance-Operate (DBFO) Public-Private Partnership arrangement with GIIL Technology and Marketing Solutions Ltd.
According to the minister, the Ministry has approved the project through the newly constituted Project Approval Board, ensuring execution of the concession agreement in line with the Unsolicited Proposal Guidelines of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
He emphasized that ASFAAR.NG represents more than a technological upgrade, describing it as a strategic diplomatic instrument aimed at protecting Nigerian citizens abroad and restoring confidence in Nigeria’s outbound travel ecosystem.
Originally developed to address coordination and compliance issues related to Hajj and Umrah travel, the platform has evolved into a multi-country digital infrastructure for visa facilitation and travel verification. The system integrates with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and other relevant security agencies to authenticate applicants using biometric and biographic data linked to the National Identification Number (NIN).
Artificial intelligence tools will also be deployed to profile risks, detect fraudulent documentation, and route high-risk applications for structured inter-agency vetting before submission to foreign missions. A secure diplomatic interface will allow partner embassies, particularly in Arab and Gulf countries, to receive verified applications with enhanced transparency and confidence.
Tuggar further stated that the platform will strengthen consular oversight, institutionalize compliance, and rebuild diplomatic trust, ultimately improving Nigeria’s negotiating position in restoring and expanding visa quotas for legitimate travelers.
Beyond migration management, ASFAAR.NG is expected to function as a data-driven governance tool, providing intelligence on compliance metrics and demographic trends to support national security coordination and evidence-based policymaking.
ASFAAR.NG, unveiled in August 2025, is Nigeria’s first specialised, technology-driven visa facilitation platform supporting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in processing outbound visa applications to Arab states, Asia, Europe, and the United States.
