Effective May 1, 2025, all landing and exit cards for foreigners entering or leaving Nigeria will be automated, as part of efforts to enhance border security and streamline immigration processes. With the automation, foreigners will be required to complete the forms online before boarding flights to or from Nigeria.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Wednesday, during a joint briefing with the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.
He explained that the new system is free of charge and aimed solely at improving national security and data management.
He said, “We’ve always had the exit and landing cards, but in a manual format—you had to fill out a paper form. But Nigeria is a country of 230 million brilliant people, and we must lead the pack when it comes to technology. In view of that, we are automating the process, and everything will take effect from May 1, 2025.
“So, the landing and exit cards will be filled online before boarding and must be presented to airlines before you can be allowed on board. The responsibility for coordinating and issuing regulations to airlines lies with the NCAA, and we’ve agreed today that the NCAA will handle that, as they are as committed as we are to protecting our country, securing our borders, and upholding our national sovereignty.
“In addition, we’ll be introducing other measures which we’ll explain more explicitly later. We’ve also agreed that the e-visa will make it easier for people to come into Nigeria while enhancing national security. Applications will be processed online.
“There is already a centralised visa approval centre at the immigration headquarters. Officers have been trained, equipped, and the system is integrated with major global criminal databases, including Interpol. This will allow for better background checks for those entering Nigeria. The landing and exit cards are free. No one is paying for them. It’s purely for security and record-keeping purposes.”
He said that to ensure a smooth rollout, both ministries have agreed to form a joint team comprising officials from the NCAA and the Nigeria Immigration Service.
The minister added that the team is expected to finalize regulatory protocols and implementation frameworks within one week.
Also speaking, Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, explained how the automated system would function in practice.
He said that upon arrival in Nigeria, a foreigner’s entry card—completed online—would be verified using their passport number. The same applies to the exit card upon departure.
“If you’re a foreigner and you walk up to a boarding desk, airline staff will ask for your exit card. If you’ve overstayed, the system will flag it, and the airline will refer you to immigration officers,” Keyamo explained.
