The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that airlines flying passengers into Nigeria without valid entry visas, as well as Landing and Exit cards, will face stiff penalties.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ sensitisation event in Lagos, the minister stressed that while Nigeria is easing access with the new E-Visa system, national security will not be compromised.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo emphasized that airlines must verify passengers have valid visas before boarding, just as is done in countries like the U.S., UK, and Canada.
Since the E-Visa’s rollout on May 1, over 5,800 applications have been received, with a majority approved. The new system includes barcoded Landing and Exit cards to boost security and data collection.
Officials from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigeria Immigration Service lauded the innovation, calling it a milestone in making Nigeria more secure and attractive to investors and tourists.
