By Alfaritsy
ABUJA
The federal government, via the Ministry of Interior along with the Ministries of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has established May 1st as the start date for enforcing the new E-Visa, landing card, and exit card automation policies within the nation.
On Wednesday, both ministers—the Minister of Internal Affairs, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo—held a joint inter-ministerial press briefing in Abuja. They highlighted how their collaborative efforts, particularly with regard to implementing the Advanced Passenger Information System and e-gate solutions, resulted in the apprehension of several blacklisted foreign nationals who were subsequently turned over to INTERPOL.
Providing clarification, Ojo-Olujimi expressed deep gratitude to the Ministry of Aviation for their collaboration. They mentioned that both departments have decided to establish a small joint task force aimed at ensuring the successful implementation of the E-Visa system, as well as automating landing and departure cards.
The program commences on May 1, 2025, with an additional three-month grace period before the comprehensive enforcement and execution begin on August 1.
So, an amnesty program will be implemented allowing all foreign nationals with visa overstay issues or those who have violated immigration laws to step forward and legalize their status by reporting to the immigration offices.
Following the implementation of the AP system, we faced another challenge related to the E-Gate. We extend our gratitude to FAAN, who owns the property, for their assistance. Currently, both our locations in Lagos and at the Abuja airport boast fully functional E-Gates that provide ease for Nigerians while enhancing border security even further. Today, as part of this progression from the E-Gate project, we address the next phase: the rollout of E-Visas along with an automated process for landing and departure cards.
We recognize that previously, we’ve used an exit and landing card system where travelers would manually complete paper forms. However, considering Nigeria’s status as a nation with over 230 million talented individuals, it’s crucial for us to be at the forefront of technological advancement. Therefore, we plan to automate these processes starting May 1, 2025.
He went on to say that the landing and exit cards, which are complimentary, must be completed online prior to your departure. You’ll then present these documents to airline staff as part of the boarding process.
Additionally, we plan to implement further measures that we can elaborate on later. We’ve also concurred that the Electronic Visa will simplify entry into Nigeria by improving national security. Naturally, these applications will be processed online.
There is an existing centralized visa approval center located within the Nigerian Immigration Headquarters. The officers stationed there have undergone training and are fully equipped with solutions integrated to major global criminal record databases such as Interpol and others. Additionally, enhanced background checks will be conducted for individuals entering Nigeria.
“We are also focused on eliminating obstacles and ensuring that individuals can obtain Nigerian visas without needing to influence anyone to enter the country. Our aim is to keep our borders open while maintaining national security so that visitors can experience the wonders of Nigeria,” he emphasized.
Keyabo, for his part, guaranteed that the automation process would proceed smoothly.
What the entry and exit card signify, along with what my brother is explaining, is that upon arriving in the country, you complete an online entry form. This process is automated. Therefore, once they input your passport number into the system, all relevant information appears instantly—such as the date of your arrival, the type of visa used for entry, and the duration of your authorized stay.
The system recognizes it immediately, retrieves it, and proceeds. As you leave the country, your initial point of contact would be the check-in counter at a private airline. This is where the NCA becomes relevant.
“On l traveling back to your country as a foreigner, they will say, where is your exit card? That is the first thing they want. They won’t give you a boarding pass to go on board. It is at that time, when you have filled your exit card, and you punch in your passport number, that the details will come up, as to when did this person enter the country? Where were you stamped in? For how long were you stamped? So once it shows there that you have overstayed, the airline, by the protocol the NCAA will give, will refuse to board you, and refer you to immigration.
What we are accomplishing today serves as an additional proof of this government’s commitment to encouraging collaboration among crucial ministries whose responsibilities intersect.
“The aviation ministry and the interior ministry were quick to decide on collaboration right from the start, and we’ve been working together flawlessly ever since,” he declared.
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