The relationship between immigration policy and tourism development will come under close scrutiny as the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) prepares for its 2026 conference in Lagos.
The conference, scheduled to hold in October 2026 at the Radisson Blu, Ikeja, Lagos, will focus on the theme, “Nigerian Tourism Industry and the Tinubu Administration’s Immigration Reforms.”
The event is expected to bring together tourism practitioners, travel professionals, policymakers, journalists and officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to examine the impact of the immigration reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The reforms, which began taking effect in 2025 under the supervision of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, represent one of the Federal Government’s major attempts to modernise Nigeria’s immigration system and make the country more accessible to international visitors.
For ANJET, the subject is particularly important because immigration and visa policies can directly influence the attractiveness and competitiveness of a tourism destination.
Why Immigration Matters to Tourism
For international tourists, the journey to a destination begins long before they arrive at a hotel, tourist attraction or conference venue.
The process of obtaining a visa, securing travel approval and passing through immigration controls can influence a traveller’s decision to visit a country.
A complicated visa application process can discourage potential visitors.
Similarly, delays at airports, land borders and seaports can create negative first impressions that affect a country’s tourism reputation.
ANJET’s decision to place immigration reforms at the centre of its 2026 conference therefore reflects a wider question about Nigeria’s ability to convert its enormous tourism potential into actual visitor arrivals.
The conference will examine whether the reforms introduced by the Federal Government have made it easier for tourists and business travellers to enter Nigeria.
It will also assess whether the changes have improved the experience of international visitors at the country’s various points of entry.
Examining the Pre-Reform Immigration System
Before the latest reforms, Nigeria’s immigration and visa processes were frequently criticised by travellers and tourism stakeholders for being complicated and difficult to navigate.
Visitors seeking Nigerian visas could face challenges obtaining appointments and completing application procedures.
Even the visa-on-arrival system, which was introduced to make entry easier for certain categories of travellers, did not completely eliminate the difficulties associated with entering the country.
For tourism operators, such challenges could have wider consequences.
A potential visitor who finds it difficult to obtain a visa may simply choose another destination.
In an increasingly competitive global tourism market, countries are competing not only through attractions and hospitality but also through the ease with which visitors can enter and move around their territories.
This makes immigration reform an important component of tourism policy.
The New Visa Regime
One of the major changes highlighted by ANJET is the restructuring of Nigeria’s visa categories.
From May 1, 2025, Nigeria moved to reduce its visa categories from 79 to 44.
The objective was to simplify the system and create clearer pathways for international visitors, business travellers and foreign investors.
The reforms also introduced a more digital approach to visa administration.
Rather than relying heavily on manual processes, the new system is designed to allow applicants to interact with immigration services electronically.
This shift is expected to reduce paperwork, limit unnecessary administrative bottlenecks and make the visa process more transparent.
For the tourism industry, the potential benefits are significant.
A simpler visa system could make Nigeria more attractive to international tourists who might otherwise choose destinations with easier entry procedures.
Digital Immigration and the Visitor Experience
Another important component of the reform is the digitalisation of immigration procedures.
The Nigeria Immigration Service introduced an electronic visa system alongside digital landing and exit cards.
The reforms are intended to modernise the way Nigeria records the movement of international travellers while improving the ability of immigration authorities to monitor entry, duration of stay and departure.
For visitors, digital systems can potentially reduce the amount of paperwork involved in travelling.
For government, they can improve data collection and strengthen border management.
For tourism operators, the ultimate question is whether these technological improvements translate into a smoother experience for visitors.
That will be one of the issues likely to receive attention at the ANJET conference.
Beyond Airports: Land and Sea Borders
Nigeria’s international tourism gateways extend beyond its airports.
The country shares land borders with several neighbouring countries, while its coastal location also makes maritime entry relevant to international travel and tourism.
ANJET’s conference is therefore expected to examine how the reforms are affecting access through air, land and sea borders.
This is particularly important for regional tourism.
Visitors travelling from neighbouring West African countries may rely on land transportation, while international tourists and cruise-related travellers can interact with Nigeria through maritime gateways.
A tourism-friendly immigration system must therefore function consistently across different entry points.
If digital reforms work effectively at airports but visitors continue to experience difficulties at land borders, the broader tourism objective could remain incomplete.
Expatriate Quota and Residency Reforms
The immigration reforms also extend beyond short-term tourism.
Changes to expatriate quota and residency processing are designed to make it easier for businesses employing foreign nationals to manage immigration requirements.
The reforms link certain applications to digital platforms for processing residence permits and other immigration documentation.
The broader objective is to reduce administrative bottlenecks, eliminate unnecessary intermediaries and improve transparency.
Although these measures may appear more relevant to business immigration than leisure tourism, they have implications for Nigeria’s wider destination economy.
Business travellers, investors, expatriate workers and conference delegates all form part of the broader tourism and hospitality ecosystem.
Improving immigration processes for these groups could therefore contribute to increased economic activity across hotels, restaurants, transport companies, travel agencies and other tourism businesses.
Can Visa Reform Increase Tourist Arrivals?
Perhaps the most important question facing the ANJET conference is whether immigration reform can translate into measurable tourism growth.
Simplifying visa procedures is an important first step.
However, easier entry alone does not guarantee that tourists will come.
Nigeria must also offer competitive air connectivity, quality accommodation, reliable transportation, attractive destinations, safety, efficient border services and positive visitor experiences.
The conference will therefore provide an opportunity to examine immigration reform as part of a broader tourism development strategy.
The key issue will be whether the reforms are helping Nigeria compete more effectively with other African destinations.
Industry Experts to Lead the Conversation
The conference will feature prominent figures from Nigeria’s tourism and travel industry.
Among those listed to participate 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 industry stakeholders.
Their perspectives will be important because travel agencies and tour operators interact directly with visitors and are often among the first industry players to encounter challenges associated with visa applications and international travel arrangements.
Their experiences could help determine whether the reforms have addressed some of the practical challenges that previously affected travellers.
Immigration Reform as Tourism Reform
The ANJET conference is also expected to challenge stakeholders to look at immigration reform beyond the administrative responsibilities of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
For the tourism industry, immigration is part of destination development.
Every stage of the visitor journey matters.
From searching for information about Nigeria to applying for a visa, booking flights, arriving at an airport, passing through immigration and eventually leaving the country, each interaction contributes to the traveller’s perception of Nigeria.
A seamless immigration experience can therefore strengthen the country’s tourism brand.
Conversely, unnecessary delays, confusing procedures or poor treatment at entry points can undermine promotional efforts.
A Test of Nigeria’s Tourism Ambition
Nigeria has significant tourism potential, ranging from cultural festivals and historical sites to entertainment, business events, wildlife and natural attractions.
However, unlocking this potential requires more than marketing.
The country must also create an environment in which international visitors can enter easily, move around safely and enjoy their experience.
The immigration reforms provide an opportunity to address one part of that equation.
The challenge now is determining how effectively the reforms are being implemented and whether visitors are experiencing meaningful improvements.
ANJET Conference Comes at a Critical Time
The 2026 ANJET conference is therefore positioned to serve as more than a discussion among tourism journalists.
It will provide a platform for examining the intersection between immigration policy and tourism development.
Stakeholders will have an opportunity to assess what has changed since the reforms were introduced, what challenges remain and what further measures may be required.
The conference could also help bridge the gap between government policy and the practical realities experienced by tourism businesses and international travellers.
Ultimately, the success of Nigeria’s immigration reforms should not be measured solely by the number of digital applications processed or visa categories reduced.
The more important measure will be whether the reforms make Nigeria easier to visit, easier to navigate and more attractive as a tourism and business destination.
As ANJET brings tourism professionals, journalists and immigration officials together in Lagos, the central question will be whether Nigeria’s new immigration regime can become a catalyst for tourism growth rather than simply an administrative reform.
The answer could have significant implications for Nigeria’s ambition to transform tourism into a stronger contributor to economic growth, employment and international investment.
