The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to airlines operating in Nigeria: transporting passengers without valid entry visas, as well as landing and exit cards, will attract strict sanctions. This was made known by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a stakeholders’ sensitization meeting on the operationalization of the e-Visa, Landing, and Exit Card system held in Lagos on Friday.
Tunji-Ojo emphasised that Nigeria is not a dumping ground and will no longer tolerate the entry of foreign nationals without proper documentation. “You cannot come to Nigeria without a visa. Boarding anyone without a visa is illegal,” he said. “How can someone come from Europe or Asia into Nigeria without valid documentation? We are not going to compromise national interest and security.”
The Minister announced that enforcement of the Landing and Exit Cards would begin on August 1 and urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ensure full compliance with the revised 2025 Nigeria Visa Policy.
He stressed that while the introduction of the e-Visa aims to ease entry into Nigeria for legitimate purposes—such as tourism, business, and investment—it will not come at the expense of border security. “Visa is not just a tool of migration management; it is an instrument of economic development. When people enter your country, they spend, invest, and contribute to the economy,” he explained.
Highlighting the benefits of the e-Visa system, Tunji-Ojo revealed that since its launch on May 1, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has received 5,814 applications, approving 5,671, rejecting 66, and querying 62. The e-Visa, which includes a barcode-enabled Landing and Exit Card, captures detailed biodata and travel logs, and can be processed within 48 hours.
Chris Najomo, Director-General of the NCAA, described the rollout of the e-Visa and Landing/Exit cards as a milestone in Nigeria’s aviation sector. “This development aligns with global best practices and ICAO Annex 9 provisions, enhancing air travel facilitation while upholding aviation security,” he said.
He added that the system would significantly improve the travel experience and border control, positioning Nigeria as a more investor- and tourist-friendly destination.
In her remarks, Kemi Nandap, Comptroller-General of the NIS, called for continued inter-agency collaboration to ensure the seamless implementation of the new systems. She commended the support of the Ministry of Aviation, the NCAA, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria in driving this initiative forward.
The Ministry of Interior reiterated its call to airlines: verify that all passengers have a valid Nigerian visa before boarding. “Proof of payment or ticket purchase is not sufficient. What is unacceptable in the UK, US, and Canada will no longer be acceptable in Nigeria,” the Minister affirmed.
