Abuja, Nigeria – May 23, 2025
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that it will begin sanctioning airlines that fly passengers into the country without valid entry visas, as part of a sweeping reform of immigration enforcement and border security.
This warning came from the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who expressed deep concern over the growing trend of airlines disregarding visa regulations. He emphasized that this negligence not only violates Nigeria’s immigration policies but also places undue pressure on airport officials and exposes the country to security vulnerabilities.
“Enough is enough. No airline should think it can flout our laws and go unpunished. If you bring in any traveler without the required visa, your airline will face the consequences,” Dr. Tunji-Ojo said.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has been instructed to take strict measures at all entry points, with erring airlines facing fines, route restrictions, or possible suspension of their licenses.
The government also urged aviation stakeholders to step up compliance by properly training staff and enhancing systems for document verification before passengers board flights to Nigeria.
Officials stressed that while Nigeria remains committed to welcoming genuine visitors, it will not tolerate loopholes that could compromise national safety. The enforcement of this directive is expected to begin within weeks, as the government tightens its visa and border control procedures.
This move follows broader efforts to end the abuse of the visa-on-arrival policy and reinforces Nigeria’s message that it is not a safe haven for undocumented travelers or criminals.
NewsGlobal Reporters