The Federal Government has announced that it will sanction any airline that brings passengers into Nigeria without valid entry visas, as well as Landing and Exit cards.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, issued this warning on Friday during a stakeholders’ engagement programme in Lagos focused on the implementation of the E-Visa, Landing, and Exit Cards.
Tunji-Ojo firmly declared that the government would not tolerate any breach of the nation’s visa policies. He emphasized that Nigeria is not a dumping ground and insisted that no foreign national should enter the country without proper documentation.
While he acknowledged that the E-Visa system simplifies the entry process, he stressed that national security remains a top priority and that the government would not compromise on it. He urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to both enlighten stakeholders and enforce its oversight role. He also called on the NCAA to ensure airlines comply with the 2025 Nigeria Visa Policy.
The minister directed airlines to take greater responsibility for national security by verifying passengers’ visas before they board flights to Nigeria. He noted that mere proof of payment or possession of a ticket would no longer suffice. “You must inspect passengers’ visas before flying them to Nigeria. That is standard practice in the UK, US, and Canada—and it must become the standard here as well,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized the collaborative nature of the new policy implementation, recognizing the strategic efforts of the Ministry of Interior, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the NCAA. He called on airlines to uphold their national duty in addition to conducting business, highlighting the benefits of the E-Visa and Landing and Exit cards, saying they would attract investors by making travel processes more efficient.
As of May 22, the NIS had received 5,814 E-Visa applications, approved 5,671, rejected 66, and queried 62, according to the minister. He explained that travelers must still meet eligibility criteria before they receive visas, despite applying online. He also noted that the E-Visa system includes barcoded Landing and Exit cards and will enhance the NIS’s traveler database.
NCAA Director-General Chris Najomo, in his welcome address, praised the e-Visa system as a milestone that aligns Nigeria with international best practices. He stated that the system adheres to ICAO Annex 9 standards on facilitation and improves both border control and passenger experience.
Najomo added that the online application process reduces visa processing time to under 48 hours, helping Nigeria position itself as an investor- and tourist-friendly nation and contributing to economic growth.
In her closing remarks, NIS Comptroller General Kemi Nandap thanked the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the NCAA Director-General, the Federal Airports Authority Managing Director, and the NIS team. She called for continued inter-agency collaboration to ensure smooth implementation of the new system.
