Minister of Interior Olubumi Tunji-Ojo has appealed to Airlines operating into Nigeria, to desist from bringing in passengers without visa or face sanctions
Tunji-Ojo who made this known at a stakeholders sensitization and engagement on the implementation of E-Visa, and ĺanding and Exit card in lagos noted that E-Visa solution is live and direct and that has buried the Visa on Arrival policy.
He said the newly introduced E-Visa solution, is a solution that most countries have adopted years ago, as people who want to come to Nigeria for tourism, business or want to come and experience the hospitality of the country does not need to get any highly placed person to get Visa
He said “Visa is not just a tool of migration management, Visa is an instrument of economic development and economic emancipation. E-Visa, you can apply and get your Visa within 48hours. It is integrated with all security features and people of interest can be easily flagged, adding that the E-Visa cuts away human contacts ”
He noted that for migration management, there is need to be futuristic, make Visa more available, comfortable and seamless for the person, as the E-Visa provides that and shuts the gate of Visa on Arrival.
He however stressed that any airline caught airlifting passengers into Nigeria without a valid entry visa, Landing, and Exit cards would be sanctioned.
The Minister of Interior stated that, with E-Visa, there is QR code, it is easy to authenticate, and verify as migration management becomes easy for the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS, and beyond that, there is a legitimate framework of Visa over stayers by enforcing immigration laws and policies.
He disclosed that as of May 22nd, 2025 the NIS received a total of 5,814 applications of E-Visa, approved 5,671, rejected 66, and queried 62 applications since the introduction of E-Visa on May 1st 2025.
He further explained that the Landing and Exit card is free as the era passengers having to fill forms manually is over
He appealed to Airlines operators “We need your support, we are not adding any extra layer, to your responsibility. All we are saying is that if somebody wants to come to Nigeria, ask the person where is your Landing card. It doesn’t take more than 2 minutes”
“I thank the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority NCAA for the new order. We need you for the purpose of enforcement and NCAA is statutorily by law, as they are the only agency with that mandate of ensuring that there is that order ”
“Landing and Exit card is not a creation of policy. It is a creation of law, by virtue of the NIS act of 2015. It is a creation of an act of parliament, and the word is SHALL, not MAY and it is compulsory ”
The Minister, stressed that Nigeria is not a dumping ground and that no foreigner should be allowed entry without a visa.
He added that although Nigeria was making entry more accessible with the introduction of the E-Visa, but the country would not compromise on national security.
He urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority on the enlightenment and enforcement of its oversight function as a regulator to ensure that airlines adhere to the 2025 Nigeria Visa Policy.
Tunji-Ojo further tasked airlines on national security, stating that the E-Visa was of national interest to improve border security, tourism, and sustainable economic growth.
“I plead with the NCAA to regulate, that is why this meeting is a strategic collaborative effort of the ministry, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the NCAA.
“For the airlines, I know you are here to do business but you also have a responsibility in terms of national interest and security. Before anybody comes to Nigeria, please see their Visas, not a proof of payment or their tickets.
Tunji-Ojo while further explaining the features of the E-Visa, the Landing and Exit cards with a barcode stressed ” that you applied for a Nigerian visa does not mean you will have the visa, you will need to meet certain criteria for the visa to be issued”
The Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo in his welcome address said that the introduction of the e-Visa and the associated Landing and Exit card systems was a laudable one.
He said that this is a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards enhancing air travel facilitation while ensuring the highest standards of aviation security and operational efficiency are maintained.
“The e-Visa showcases one of the practical ways we continually align with global best practices by complying with the ICAO provisions of Annex 9 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation – on Facilitation.
“It is, inherently, designed to improve the experience of travelers, while strengthening our border control mechanisms. The importance of seamless inter-agency collaboration cannot be over-emphasized in a bid to ensure the effective implementation of these systems without compromising safety, security, or service delivery.
“The benefits derived from e-Visa applicants being able to complete visa applications entirely online, with processing time reduced to less than 48 hours, would have a multiplier effect. It will showcase Nigeria as an investor- and tourist-friendly nation, invariably translating to economic growth.”
The Comptroller General of the NIS, Kemi Nanna Nandap in her closing remarks expressed her appreciation to the Minister of Interior, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the NCAA D-G, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority, and the NIS team.
She noted that this is the result of agency collaboration and called for more inter-agency collaborations to further strengthen the seamless implementation of the e-visa, Landing, and Exit cards Solution
