KEY POINTS

• Airlines who carry passengers lacking Nigerian visas straight away face penalties.
• With more than 5,000 being issued, using an e-visa has simplified getting into the country.
• Landing and Exit Card enforcement will start on August 1, 2025.

The Federal Government has cautioned airlines that carriers caught with passengers lacking a valid entry visa will instantly face penalties as the policy of no entry without visa now gets stronger.

Friday’s stakeholders’ conference in Lagos was the occasion for Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo to make the proclamation.

Visa requirements should be put into effect straight away

The Minister claims that all passengers entering Nigeria by plane are required to hold a valid visa before boarding. According to him, the policy is not up for discussion and goes into effect straight away.

Visas are needed for any traveler attempting to board a plane to Nigeria, Tunji-Ojo pointed out. We warn people as we also beg them to listen. National security is of the highest importance. Airlines must verify a passenger’s visa before allowing them to fly into the country.

The use of E-Visa is quickly increasing, leading to no entry without visa

According to Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s e-visa service, created to make travelling and doing business easier, has handled more than 6,000 applications and issued more than 5,000 e-visas. He said that the digital system makes processes more open and available to all, so people do not need to know the right people to get travel clearance.

“My visa does not only serve to let me move from one country to another,” he said. It supports economic development. Travelers bring extra activity to the hospitality, transport and retail fields.

Landing and exit card will be used from August 1

Starting on August 1, the federal government will enforce the Landing and Exit Card through its immigration reforms. The goal is to raise the quality of border protection and improve data systems for migration.

The Minister for the Interior pointed to the UAE, Qatar, Singapore and Morocco as examples of how much digital visas help economically.

Compliance expected with no entry without visa

To avoid facing penalties, airlines were told to carefully comply with the new rules. It is expected that the Nigerian Immigration Service oversees and deals with illegal activities.