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.
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