From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal Government has warned airlines against flying passengers into Nigeria without valid visas, declaring that the country will not serve as a testing ground for practices that are not tolerated elsewhere.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, issued the warning on Friday during a sensitisation programme on the new e-visa policy organised by the Nigerian Immigration Service.
He said the warning followed consultations with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Chris Najomo.
“We have issues with airlines bringing passengers into Nigeria without visas. We have spoken to the Minister of Aviation and the NCAA DG about it. It’s unacceptable,” Tunji-Ojo said.
“You can’t do this in any other country. If I attempt to travel to the UK without a visa, British Airways will not board me. They must sight my visa first. Recently, we had to turn people back because they arrived without valid visas.
He added, “With the support of the NCAA, we will begin full enforcement of existing regulations. Any airline that brings in passengers without visas will be sanctioned. Nigeria is not a place for such experiments.”
The minister stressed that the enforcement will be strict and consistent, warning airline operators to verify visa status before allowing passengers on board.
He stated, “How can someone come from Europe or Asia without a visa and expect to sort it out on arrival? That doesn’t happen in any serious country. We are appealing to airlines: while doing business in Nigeria, comply with Nigerian laws. Unless a passenger is from a visa-free country, they must have a visa before boarding a flight to Nigeria.”
Tunji-Ojo revealed that as of May 22, 2025, a total of 5,814 visa applications had been processed under the new short-stay system, with 5,617 approved, 66 rejected, and 62 queried. He emphasised that every application undergoes verification, including checks with hotels listed by applicants.
“We are building a watertight system. If you don’t qualify, you won’t get a visa. We now verify the details applicants submit, including confirming hotel bookings physically,” he said.
In his remarks, NCAA Director General, Capt. Chris Najomo, described the introduction of the e-visa and the related landing and exit card systems as a major leap in Nigeria’s efforts to improve air travel facilitation while maintaining aviation security and operational efficiency.
