FG to roll out e-visa in May, strengthens border security

The Federal Government has announced that Nigeria will begin full implementation of a new electronic visa (e-visa) system on May 1, 2025, in a bid to enhance the country’s immigration processes and border security.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, made the disclosure during a Joint Press Briefing held in Abuja alongside Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation.

The meeting focused on the implementation and enforcement of immigration protocols as both Ministries reaffirmed their collaboration on national security.

Tunji-Ojo explained that the e-visa system was designed to simplify and modernise visa application procedures for tourists, business travelers, and other short-term visitors.

“The new online platform will allow applicants to fill out visa forms, upload essential documents including passports, return tickets, and hotel bookings and make secure payments, all from the comfort of their location”, he stated.

In the same vein, he announced that Government had recorded significant security wins, including the arrest and extradition of individuals flagged by INTERPOL and placed on Red Notice.

These arrests, he noted, were made possible through the deployment of the Advanced Passenger Information (API) System, which helps authorities screen travelers before they arrive in Nigeria.

Tunji-Ojo praised the Ministry of Aviation for its critical support, stating that the collaborative efforts between the two Ministries had been pivotal to recent successes in enhancing Nigeria’s border control.

Read also: Nigeria to launch e-visa, digital cards

He emphasised that without this level of co-operation, the achievements recorded so far would not have been possible.

Further underscoring the Government’s commitment to leveraging technology for border management, the Minister disclosed that Electronic Gates (E-Gates) have now been installed and are fully functional at airport terminals in Lagos, Calabar, and Abuja.

These E-Gates, he said, have not only improved traveler convenience but also bolstered the nation’s security infrastructure.

According to him, the introduction of the e-Visa system is part of a broader digital transformation in immigration services.

Tunji-Ojo also announced the launch of automated landing and exit cards, which would replace the manual paper forms previously used at ports of entry and exit.

According to the Minister, the move aligns with Nigeria’s ambition to lead Africa in technological advancement, especially in areas of national importance like security and immigration.

Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation, pledged his Ministry’s full support for the e-Visa initiative.

He highlighted the seamless coordination that had gone on behind the scenes between the Ministries of Interior and Aviation, and other relevant agencies including the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Keyamo described the initiative as commendable and necessary, noting that both Ministries were fully aligned on its goals and implementation strategy.

He assured the public that the collaboration would continue to ensure the success of the new system and other future innovations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s immigration and aviation sectors.

The FG believes that the reform will not only improve the experience for travelers but also significantly boost national security through enhanced screening and data collection.