Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has issued a stern warning to airlines: transporting passengers into Nigeria without valid entry visas, landing, and exit cards will no longer be tolerated under the country’s evolving border control policies.
Speaking at a sensitisation programme on the new e-visa, landing, and exit cards initiative held in Lagos on Friday, Tunji-Ojo stressed that no foreigner will be allowed into Nigeria without proper documentation, regardless of the recent digital improvements to visa access.
“Before anybody comes into Nigeria, please see their visas — not just proof of payment or tickets,” the minister told airline operators. “It is not acceptable in the UK, U.S., Canada and other countries, and it will not be acceptable in Nigeria anymore.”
He called on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to enforce strict compliance with the revised 2025 Nigeria visa policy, asserting that the country’s security and sovereignty must not be compromised.
The e-visa system, introduced on May 1, is designed to streamline entry processes, boost tourism, and enhance border security. As of May 22, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had received 5,814 e-visa applications, approving 5,671, rejecting 66, and querying 62.
The system includes barcoded landing and exit cards containing passengers’ biodata and travel history, improving the NIS’s ability to track movements and maintain a robust immigration database.
“That you applied for a Nigerian visa does not mean you will have the visa; you need to meet certain criteria,” Tunji-Ojo added.
Chris Najomo, Director-General of the NCAA, praised the initiative as a major step toward aligning Nigeria with international standards, especially ICAO’s Annex 9 on air travel facilitation.
“This showcases how we align with global best practices while maintaining security and operational efficiency,” Najomo said.
Kemi Nandap, Comptroller-General of the NIS, also called for enhanced inter-agency collaboration to ensure the system’s seamless implementation.
The initiative marks a significant shift toward a more digitised, transparent, and security-focused immigration process for Nigeria’s air travel sector.
