RismadarVoice Reporters, February 28, 2026
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has hailed 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 the country’s diplomatic and migration reform efforts.
The Minister made the commendation in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
He noted that the platform complies with the ICRC Establishment Act, 2005, and the National Policy on Public-Private Partnerships, and is structured under a Design-Build-Finance-Operate (DBFO) 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,” Tuggar said, adding that the certification reflects the highest standard of technical, financial, and legal due diligence.
He emphasized that ASFAAR.NG is more than a technological upgrade; it is a strategic diplomatic instrument designed to protect Nigerians abroad, enhance visa compliance, and restore confidence in outbound travel.
Initially developed to address Hajj and Umrah travel coordination, 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 relevant security agencies to authenticate applicants using biometric and biographic data linked to the National Identification Number (NIN).
Artificial intelligence tools will profile risks, detect fraudulent documentation, and route high-risk applications through structured inter-agency vetting before submission to foreign missions.
A secure diplomatic interface will also enable partner embassies, particularly in the Arab and Gulf regions, to receive verified applications with enhanced confidence and transparency.
Tuggar noted that ASFAAR.NG will strengthen Nigeria’s constitutional and diplomatic mandate, rebuild trust with foreign partners, and enhance consular oversight by providing structured monitoring of outbound travel patterns.
He added that the platform will serve as a data-driven governance tool, offering intelligence on compliance metrics and demographic trends to support national security and evidence-based policy planning.
Launched in August 2025, ASFAAR.NG is Nigeria’s first specialised, technology-driven visa application agency, aimed at curbing documentation fraud, streamlining travel, and supporting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in processing outbound visas to Arab states, Asia, Europe, and the United States.
The platform is expected to significantly enhance citizen protection abroad, improve bilateral relations, and reinforce Nigeria’s position in international visa negotiations.
