The federal government will launch an e-visa system and digital landing and exit cards to enhance national security, the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo has said.
Disclosing this on Wednesday in Abuja when he received a delegation led by the Interior Minister, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Keyamo noted that the e-visa system will enable applicants to submit visa requests online and upload required documents electronically. He stated further that the manual landing and exit cards would be digitalised, requiring visitors to pre-fill their information before travelling to Nigeria.
“What we are doing here today reflects this government’s commitment to cooperation between ministries with overlapping mandates. Today is another example of inter-ministerial collaboration. This specifically concerns the introduction of the e-visa system,” said the Aviation Minister.
He hinted that Tunji-Ojo would give further details and that relevant agencies such as Immigration, NCAA, and FAAN would fully support the initiative.
The Interior Minister informed that the automation system will commence on May 1. He noted that the e-visa application will be free and is designed to simplify entry into Nigeria while boosting national security.
Tunji-Ojo explained the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority would manage landing and exit cards, which travellers must complete online before boarding.
“Coordinating and issuing regulations to airlines is naturally the NCAA’s responsibility,” the Interior Minister noted.
He revealed that a central visa approval centre already exists at the immigration headquarters, with trained officers and integrated global criminal record checks.
“Better background checks will be conducted for travellers entering Nigeria. We aim to eliminate bottlenecks and ensure a transparent visa process. Our goal is to open Nigeria’s borders without compromising security. Both Interior and Aviation ministries have critical roles in this,” he said.
-NAN