Nigeria set to launch e-visa, digital cards
Mr. Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has announced that the Federal Government is set to introduce an e-visa system along with digital landing and exit cards as part of efforts to strengthen national security.
He made this known in Abuja while receiving a delegation led by the Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Keyamo explained that the e-visa platform will allow applicants to submit visa requests and upload necessary documents online.
He also revealed plans to digitize the current manual landing and exit cards, which will require visitors to complete their information electronically before arriving in Nigeria.
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He said;
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.
Keyamo added that further details would be provided by Tunji-Ojo and assured that key agencies such as Immigration, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) would fully support the initiative.
He stressed that there were no objections to the programme, which primarily falls under the jurisdiction of the Interior Ministry.
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WHEN IS THE AUTOMATION SYSTEM SCHEDULED TO RUN?
Meanwhile, Minister of Interior Tunji-Ojo announced that the automation system is scheduled to launch on May 1.
He explained that the e-visa application will be free of charge and aims to streamline the process of entering Nigeria while enhancing national security.
Tunji-Ojo also noted that the NCAA will oversee the digital landing and exit cards, which travelers will be required to complete online before boarding their flights.
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“Coordinating and issuing regulations to airlines is naturally the NCAA’s responsibility,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He disclosed that a central visa approval centre is already operational at the Immigration headquarters, staffed with trained personnel and equipped with integrated global criminal record verification systems.
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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 the Interior and Aviation ministries have critical roles in this, he said.
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