ABUJA, April 10 (MENA) - Nigerian Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo said the country's Federal Government will launch an e-visa system and digital landing/exit cards to enhance national security.

He made the remarks as he met with the country's Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo in Abuja, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported on Thursday.

According to Keyamo, the e-visa system will enable applicants to submit visa requests online and upload required documents electronically.

He added that the manual landing and exit cards would be digitalized, requiring visitors to pre-fill their information before travelling to Nigeria.

“What we are doing here today reflects this government’s commitment to cooperation between ministries with overlapping mandates,” he said.

“Today is another example of inter-ministerial collaboration. This specifically concerns the introduction of the e-visa system,” he added.

He noted that further details would be given by Tunji-Ojo, and that relevant agencies such as Immigration, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) would fully support the initiative.

Keyamo emphasized that there was no objection to the program, which primarily falls under the Interior Ministry.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Minister of Interior stated the automation system will commence on May 1.

He noted that the e-visa application will be free and is designed to simplify entry into Nigeria while boosting national security.

Tunji-Ojo explained that NCAA will manage landing and exit cards, which travellers must complete online before boarding.

“Coordinating and issuing regulations to airlines is naturally the NCAA’s responsibility,” Tunji-Ojo said.

“Our goal is to open Nigeria’s borders without compromising security. Both Interior and Aviation ministries have critical roles in this,” he pointed out. (MENA)

I S N/R G E