The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that it will officially launch an electronic visa (e-visa) system and digital landing/exit cards on May 1, 2025, as part of efforts to improve national security and make travel to the country more seamless.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja when he received the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and a delegation from his ministry.
Keyamo explained that the new system will allow travelers to submit visa applications online and upload all required documents electronically, eliminating the need for physical submissions. Additionally, visitors to Nigeria will be required to fill in digital landing and exit cards before they travel to the country.
“This is a major step forward in modernising our immigration process,” Keyamo said. “We are now seeing more collaboration between ministries that have related functions. The e-visa system is one of the key outcomes of this cooperation.”
He stated that the project is largely under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior but has the full support of the Ministry of Aviation and its key agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Keyamo said that there is no disagreement between the ministries on the rollout of the project, and all relevant agencies are working together to ensure its success.
On his part, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, confirmed that the automated system will go live on May 1. He described the move as a way to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture while also making the visa process easier and more transparent for travelers.
He noted that the e-visa system will be free and fully automated, with an aim to eliminate unnecessary bottlenecks often faced by applicants under the old manual system.
“We have trained officers ready to handle applications at the immigration headquarters,” he said. “We have also integrated a global criminal database into our system so that better background checks can be conducted on people seeking to enter Nigeria.”
Tunji-Ojo revealed that a Central Visa Approval Centre is already in place at the immigration headquarters in Abuja. The center is equipped to process applications quickly while maintaining high security standards.
He also emphasized the role of the NCAA in ensuring that the digital landing and exit cards are properly handled. According to him, travelers must complete the forms online before boarding their flights to Nigeria.
“NCAA has the responsibility to issue regulations and guidelines to airlines, and that’s exactly what they’ll do,” he said.
The introduction of the e-visa system and digital entry forms is part of a broader effort by the Nigerian government to modernize its immigration and aviation processes.
In recent years, Nigeria has faced pressure to improve its border control measures following global trends in security and travel technology. Many countries now use digital visa systems to make travel more efficient while protecting national interests.
The Nigerian government believes this move will not only help detect potential threats before they reach the country but also project Nigeria as a more travel-friendly destination.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the new system strikes a balance between openness and caution.
“We are opening our borders to the world, but we are not compromising our security,” he said. “This system will help us know who is coming into the country, why they are coming, and if they pose any risk.”
The digital landing and exit cards will capture important data from travelers in advance, such as their contact details, travel history, and reasons for visiting. Officials say this will help speed up processing at the airport and reduce congestion at arrival and departure points.
While the government has assured Nigerians and foreigners that the system will be easy to use, questions remain about how quickly it will be adopted and whether technical issues may arise during the rollout.
The Ministries of Interior and Aviation have promised to carry out public awareness campaigns and to work with airlines to ensure that travelers are informed about the new requirements.
According to officials, travelers will be able to access the e-visa platform through a government-approved website, where they can apply and track their visa status online. The digital cards, on the other hand, must be filled out before a flight is boarded, and failure to do so may delay or prevent entry.
Both ministers called on stakeholders in the travel, tourism, and airline industries to support the implementation process.
Keyamo said, “We want every airline, airport official, and travel agent to be on the same page. This is how we make sure the system works from day one.”
The launch of the e-visa and digital entry system is expected to mark a new chapter in Nigeria’s travel and border control policy. With the May 1 deadline just weeks away, the government says all hands are on deck to ensure a smooth rollout.
Analysts believe that if properly implemented, the system could improve Nigeria’s global image, attract more visitors, and help the country manage its borders more effectively.
However, the success of the program will depend on how well the government can maintain the technology, train staff, and manage public expectations.
For now, both the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Aviation say they are fully committed to making it work.
“We are not just doing this for today,” Tunji-Ojo said. “We are building a new future for how people travel into and out of Nigeria.”
