FG set to impose fines on airlines flying passengers without valid visas
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced that moving forward, any airline that transports passengers into Nigeria without valid visas will face sanctions.
Speaking at a public event on May 23, Tunji-Ojo emphasized that airlines regularly flying individuals into Nigeria without proper documentation would not be allowed to do so in other countries, where such practices are strictly prohibited. He stressed that Nigeria will no longer serve as a testing ground for conduct deemed unacceptable elsewhere.
We have issues with the airlines, and we have spoken to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) about it.
A lot of people come into Nigeria without visas, and airlines pick them up. It is not the right thing to do. You can’t do this in any other country. If I want to travel to the UK and I don’t have a visa, British Airways will not pick me up. They must see my visa. Recently, we had to turn some people back because they didn’t have any visas. With the support of the NCAA, we will start to implement the law. Any airline that picks up passengers who do not have a visa will be fined.
How can someone come from Europe or Asia without a visa and then come into Nigeria and start making calls to ask how he or she can get a visa? It is not done anywhere. Please, we are pleading with you, you are here to do business, but you must obey Nigeria’s laws. The NCAA should please enforce this regulation. Before anyone comes into Nigeria, please make sure you see the person’s visa. Do not pick up anyone without a visa, and the NCAA will have to issue a directive to that effect. Unless you are from a visa-free country, you must have a visa before entering Nigeria. Nigeria is not a testing ground where you can do what you can’t do in other countries. The power of enforcement will come into play; you must cite the visa and confirm the person has a valid visa.
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Regarding visa approval rates, he noted that simply applying for a Nigerian visa does not guarantee it will be granted.
If you don’t qualify, you won’t get it. This time around , we go and verify any information you input when applying for short stay visas. We go to the hotel and ensure as well.
On the approval rate, as of May 22, 2025, we had 5,814 visa applications: 5,617 approved, 66 rejected, and 62 queried. That is for those coming for short stays. We go to the hotel, you input to verify if you actually booked. We will create a perfect system, he said
If you don’t qualify, you won’t get it. This time around , we go and verify any information you input when applying for short stay visas. We go to the hotel and ensure as well.
On the approval rate, as of May 22, 2025, we had 5,814 visa applications: 5,617 approved, 66 rejected, and 62 queried. That is for those coming for short stays. We go to the hotel you input to verify if you actually booked. We will create a perfect system” he said
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