Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, says airlines transporting passengers without valid entry visas, landing, and exit cards into Nigeria will be penalised.

Tunji-Ojo warned stakeholders during a sensitisation programme on implementing the e-visa, landing, and exit cards initiative in Lagos on Friday. 

The minister said no foreigner shall be allowed entry into Nigeria without a valid visa.

He said although Nigeria is making entry more accessible by introducing e-visas, this would not compromise national security.

He urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ensure that airlines adhere to the 2025 Nigeria visa policy.

Tunji-Ojo said the e-visa would improve border security and promote 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 (NIS) and the NCAA,” he said.

“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 into Nigeria, please see their visas, not just proof of payment or their tickets.

“It is not acceptable in the UK, U.S., Canada and other countries, and it will not be acceptable in Nigeria anymore.”

The minister said making the application for e-visa, landing, and exit cards easy is necessary to open Nigeria’s frontiers to investors.

He also said as of May 22, the NIS received a total of 5,814 applications for e-visa, approved 5,671, rejected 66, and queried 62 since the introduction on May 1.

‘E-VISA WILL IMPROVE IMMIGRATION DATABASE’

He said the e-visa process will improve the NIS database with information about travellers, and processed in 48 hours.

Tunji-Ojo described the features of the e-visa, landing, and exit cards, saying they are equipped with a barcode that reveals passengers’ biodata and travel logs.

“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,” he said.

In his welcome address, Chris Najomo, the director-general of the NCAA, said introducing the e-visa and the associated landing and exit card systems is a milestone.

Najomo said the new process marks Nigeria’s journey toward enhancing air travel facilitation while maintaining the highest aviation security standards and operational efficiency.

“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,” Najomo added.

“It is inherently designed to improve the experience of travellers while strengthening our border control mechanisms.

“The importance of seamless inter-agency collaboration cannot be over-emphasised to ensure effective implementation of these systems without compromising safety, security or service delivery.”

On her part, Kemi Nandap, controller-general of the NIS, called for more inter-agency collaboration to further strengthen the implementation of the e-visa, landing, and exit cards initiative.