Visa requirement for foreign journalists take tough direction by FG

The Federal Government has retained a controversial requirement for foreign journalists applying for Nigerian visa.

The provision , which was introduced by the Goodluck Jonathan administration , was retained in the new Nigerian Visa Policy 2020 launched by the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

The policy states that foreign journalists applying for the journalist visa must, among other requirements, get a letter of clearance from the Federal Ministry of Information.

The visa category, known as F 7 A , is only valid for 90 days and permits a single entry.

The Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom states on its website that when a person applies for journalist ’s visa, the application has to get “ clearance from the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications and it can take anything from one week up to one month. ”

After the journalist visa has been issued , the person is expected to head to the Federal Ministry of the Information , Abuja to get a clearance.

However, a source at the ministry said the visa requirement for journalists was put in place for security reasons .

He said, “ The policy predates this government . It is true that $ 150 is charged for those who want to do documentaries . It doesn ’t apply to all journalists . Also, we ensure that visa applications of journalists are not delayed. No one is trying to stifle the press . We only do it for security reasons . ”