Travel News
Chagos fears rise as Mauritius pledges closer links to Russia - THE TELEGRAPH
BY Tony Diver
Mauritius and Russia have agreed to strengthen their relationship on fishing and “marine research”, raising fresh fears over the UK’s decision to give away the Chagos islands.
Representatives of the two countries met in Port Louis, the Mauritian capital, on Friday and agreed to work more closely together on marine issues.
The talks have alarmed some in the UK, who point out that Mauritius will soon gain control of the Chagos islands, where there is a strategic British-American military base.
Sir Keir Starmer has agreed to sign away sovereignty of the archipelago and lease back Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands, that hosts the base.
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The Government says the deal, which will cost the UK a reported £9 billion over 100 years, will give the military base “security” from legal threats by Mauritius, which has long claimed the islands.
Critics say it will allow Mauritian allies to build listening posts around Diego Garcia, compromising the security of the base.
On Friday concerns were heightened further after a meeting between Oksana Nikolaevna Lut, the Russian agriculture minister, and Arvin Boolell, her Mauritian counterpart.
The Mauritian government said the pair discussed their “commitment to advancing cooperation in agriculture, research, irrigation, and fisheries, and building on a longstanding partnership with a shared focus on sustainable development”.
Mr Boolell also visited a historic Russian sailing ship moored in Mauritius, and described the trip as an “opportunity to deepen collaboration in key sectors, including agriculture, irrigation, and marine research”.
Once the transfer of the Chagos islands is complete, Mauritius will control fishing rights in the area, and be responsible for marine conservation.
It comes after The Telegraph reported a similar meeting between the Mauritian prime minister and the Chinese ambassador on Thursday.
Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said the close ties between Russia and Mauritius raised fresh concerns about the Chagos deal.
“It is inconceivable that a Government whose first concern and priority has to be the defence of the realm would give away one of the most important strategic and military assets we hold to a country which cosies up to a deal with Russia,” she told The Telegraph.
“We simply cannot afford to gamble in any way with our national security and defence and Mauritius’s collaboration with Russia, a country responsible for a war on European soil, sums up how catastrophic this knee-bending Labour government is.
“Britain’s standing in the world is being crushed by Labour’s disregard of our national interest.”
Ministers insist that the Chagos deal will contain security guarantees that would prevent spying by foreign powers and point to support for the deal by the Trump administration.
The final terms of the agreement, which have not been made public, were expected to be published earlier this month.
But government sources said the announcement had been delayed amid nervousness in Downing Street about how it would be received by MPs.
Downing Street maintains that it will provide “legal certainty” that will allow the military base to continue to operate.
Shorter passport queues for Britons could be part of Keir Starmer's new EU deal - YAHOO NEWS
An agreement that would see British travellers able to use e-gates currently reserved for those from the EU or European Economic Area is reportedly close.
Freelance news writer, Yahoo UK
Five years after Brexit, Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce a major new deal with the EU.
It comes as the prime minister will host a major summit with its leaders, including European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa, in London on Monday.
Ahead of this, Starmer said the deal would be "another step forwards, with yet more benefits for the UK" and "a strengthened partnership with the EU".
But with talks going "to the wire", what could be included in the deal? Here is what we know so far.
Shorter passport queues for Britons
Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, who is leading the negotiations on the UK side, has confirmed the government is pushing for measures to speed up the process for British holidaymakers going through passport control in the EU.
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He told Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme: "I would love to see you being able to go through the border more quickly in that way. That's certainly something we've been pushing with the EU and I think that will be something that will be very helpful to British people."
The Guardian reported negotiators are close to an agreement that would see British travellers able to use e-gates at European airports currently reserved for people from the EU or European Economic Area. Since Brexit, Britons have had to queue at passport control.
Reciprocal youth mobility scheme
In an interview with The Times on Friday, Starmer gave his clearest signal yet that he is open to a youth mobility scheme with the EU in which young Europeans would be allowed to live in the UK for a limited period - and vice versa.
The EU has pushed for a youth mobility scheme, similar to existing arrangements between the UK and countries including Australia and Canada, and the concession could be used to secure British access to a major European defence fund (see next section).
YouGov polling has suggested the policy is supported by more than two-thirds of Britons.
While Starmer, who recently announced major new immigration policies, insisted a youth mobility deal "is not freedom of movement", this has been questioned by opposition parties.
Tory Alex Burghart, shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that an uncapped youth mobility scheme with the EU would lead to "much higher immigration", though he added he is waiting to see "what the deal is. Even at this late stage, we don't know... they can't tell us how old a young person is. They can't tell us what benefits they would get."
Labour's Thomas-Symonds said any youth mobility deal with Europe will be "controlled", telling the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: "We have, already, 13 youth mobility schemes with other countries. Nobody is remotely suggesting that that is freedom of movement with those countries - it absolutely isn't."
Access to EU defence fund
Starmer and EU leaders have said they want to see closer defence and security co-operation, and reports have suggested a deal on British access to a £126bn EU defence fund is on the table, in what would be a boost for UK defence companies.
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However, arguments over fishing rights and the youth mobility scheme, outlined above, may provide stumbling blocks to that.
Kaja Kallas, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs, said on Friday that work was progressing on a defence deal but that "we're not there yet".
Chatham House, an international affairs think tank, said the fund is "designed to help member states replenish and modernise their armed forces. A security and defence partnership should enable UK companies to fully access this facility, as similar partnerships do for other countries. It would make sense to bring the UK in, to strengthen the programme and align it with wider European defence efforts."
Recent YouGov polling, commissioned by pro-EU campaign group Best for Britain, has indicated Britons back closer defence ties, with 69% of those polled in favour.
Food and drink exports
The government has been "negotiating very hard" for a deal on food and drink exports with the EU, Thomas-Symonds said.
He told Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: "This is an area at the moment where the current deal just isn't working.
"We know we've had lorries waiting for 16 hours, fresh food in the back not able to be exported because frankly it's just going off. Red tape, all the certifications that are required: we absolutely want to reduce that."
Speaking to Sky, Thomas-Symonds said he was "confident" a deal can be done that "makes our borders more secure, is good for jobs and growth, and brings people's household bills down".
Asked how much people could expect to save on their shopping if a deal is struck, Thomas-Symonds was unable to give a figure.
Canada: Over 80,000 returned to their countries in 2024 - BUSINESSDAY
In 2024, a record 81,601 immigrants left Canada for their diverse countries in what is described as a ‘reverse japa’ movement—the highest annual total since 2017, according to data from Immigration News Canada.
Simultaneously, the country experienced a significant drop in non-permanent residents such as international students, temporary workers, and asylum seekers, coming into the country, among whom are from Nigeria.
Every province recorded a year-on-year increase in departures, with Ontario emerging as the most affected. Alberta followed with respective outflows of temporary residents by 67 percent and 66 percent.
Nearly half of all emigrants in 2024, 39,430 people, departed from Ontario alone. British Columbia followed with 14,836 exits, marking its highest outward migration in seven years. In contrast, Québec saw only 937 people leave, the lowest figure in ten years.
Causes of emigration from Canada
Rising living costs, a strained housing market, and affordability challenges are cited as key drivers of this trend.
“Ontario’s become a pressure cooker,” one analyst remarked, highlighting the intensifying pressure of soaring rents and unaffordable home prices.
Meanwhile, cities such as Edmonton remain among the most affordable, with average one-bedroom rents around $1,316. Other relatively low-cost markets include St. Catharines, London, Niagara Falls, and Abbotsford.
Oyo airport to begin operations in 2026 after upgrade - THE GUARDIAN
By : Anthony Ufoh
Flights are scheduled to resume at the Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan, Oyo State, after it underwent an upgrade.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Dotun Oyelade, made the announcement in Ibadan on Monday.
The airport, according to Oyelade, would begin operations in 2026 after the completion of its upgrade to an international standard.
The runway is being upgraded to 3,000 metres from its old 2,400 metres, and it was also widened from 45 metres to 60 metres to allow bigger aircraft on international routes to land and take off from the airport.
The commissioner noted that the airfield lighting system has been updated to CAT C standards, and the firefighting response has been upgraded to ensure a robust safety profile.
He added that facilities are being put in place for customs, immigration, and other vital agencies to meet international standards.
He said, “The International Terminal construction is currently at 15% completion and will be ready for such flights by June 2026.
“These upgrades reflect the government’s vision of transforming the Ibadan Airport into a modern and internationally competitive facility.
“By enhancing our infrastructure to accommodate larger aircraft, we are not only improving domestic connectivity but also paving the way for global travel,” he stated.
Oyelade also reiterated the promise of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde that next year’s Hajj flight to Saudi Arabia will be from the airport.
Flight delays, cancellations soar on aircraft scarcity, poor rescheduling - BUSINESSDAY
…As delays near 50%
Nearly 50 percent of domestic airlines’ flight operations have either been delayed or cancelled in the last 12 months as aircraft scarcity and airlines’ schedules continue to disrupt flights.
Airlines have been hard hit by a series of challenges ranging from aircraft scarcity to poor flight scheduling. Other challenges are: unavailability of forex for spare parts and maintenance, consistent bird strikes, weather, restrictions caused by sunset airports, delays from customs in clearing of safety critical spare parts, amongst others. These issues have continued to cause delays and cancellations, leaving several passengers stranded.
In Nigeria’s domestic aviation landscape, a total of 70,543 flights took to the skies in 2024. However, the journey wasn’t always smooth-sailing, with 47.1 percent of flights experiencing delays (33,235 out of 70,543) and 1.7 percent seeing cancellations (1,189 out of 70,543), the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) data show.
Olumide Ohunayo, industry analyst and director of research at Zenith Travels, told BusinessDay that the data on flight cancellations and delays by the NCAA have been able to expose the level of flight disruptions in the country.
“Flight delays have continued to increase because most of the schedules that the airlines had are still there while the aircraft are reducing in number. This means they need to adjust their schedules. In not adjusting their schedules, they are made to merge flights, thereby delaying flight operations,” Ohunayo said.
He also mentioned that commercial agreements among the airlines have failed to start.
“We have seen domestic airlines launch codeshare but none has materialised. Till today, we are yet to see any of the airlines pull their passengers on another airline’s flight. Till today, the victims of the demise of Dana Air have not been refunded. They have also not been able to use the ticket on another airline,” he said.
Ohunayo suggested that if the NCAA can release data weekly or monthly and not have to wait till the end of the year, this will help to address the causes of the delays and put the airlines on their toes.
BusinessDay had reported that the high cost of spare parts and maintenance forced several airlines in Nigeria to park their planes across various airports last year, thereby causing scarcity of aircraft.
BusinessDay learnt that foreign exchange scarcity also forced some airlines to take spare parts from one grounded plane to fix others and keep them flying.
Limited airplanes have forced airlines to cancel and delay flights, reduce frequencies or suspend operations in and out of second-tier routes, paying more attention to first-tier or frequently used routes to maximise economic benefits.
Data obtained by BusinessDay from the NCAA last year showed that 13 domestic airlines operating in Nigeria operate a total of 91 aircraft. This data includes aircraft that have gone on maintenance.
Airlines, delays and cancellations
In 2024, Air Peace, one of the largest players, accounted for 22.9 percent of all delayed flights (7,619 out of 33,235) and 28 percent of all cancellations (333 out of 1,189). Arik Air followed closely, with 15.1 percent of all delayed flights (5,027 out of 33,235) and 18.1 percent of all cancellations (215 out of 1,189).
United Nigeria had 13.7 percent of all delayed flights (4,559 out of 33,235) and 10.5 percent of all cancellations (125 out of 1,189). Max Air struggled with delays, accounting for 8.9 percent of all delayed flights (2,961 out of 33,235) and 4.9 percent of all cancellations (58 out of 1,189).
Ibom Air and Green Africa also experienced significant delays, with 8.2 percent (2,739 out of 33,235) and 4.5 percent (1,499 out of 33,235) of total delays, and 11.8 percent (140 out of 1,189) and 7.5 percent (89 out of 1,189) of total cancellations, respectively.
Other notable airlines include: ValueJet, with 4.3 percent of total delays (1,413 out of 33,235) and 2.9 percent of total cancellations (35 out of 1,189); Rano Air, with 5.1 percent of total delays (1,699 out of 33,235) and three percent of total cancellations (36 out of 1,189);
Aero Contractors had 5.7 percent of total delays (1,882 out of 33,235) and 4.6 percent of total cancellations (55 out of 1,189); Overland had six percent of total delays (1,978 out of 33,235) and 6.4 percent of total cancellations (76 out of 1,189); NG Eagle had 1.8 percent of total delays (600 out of 33,235) and 1.6 percent of total cancellations (19 out of 1,189); Xejet had 0.4 percent of total delays (146 out of 33,235) and 0.1 percent of total cancellations (one out of 1,189); Dana had three percent of total delays (999 out of 33,235) and 0.6 percent of total cancellations (seven out of 1,189).
On the other end of the spectrum, airlines like Azman Air and Umza Airlines had relatively fewer flights and fewer delays. Azman Air operated 145 flights, with 76 delays (0.23 percent of total delays) and no cancellations. Umza Airlines operated 52 flights, with 38 delays (0.11 percent of total delays) and no cancellations.
John Ojikutu, industry expert and CEO of Centurion Aviation Security and Safety Consult, told BusinessDay that while there may be issues such as bird strikes and airport infrastructures causing flight delays, airlines have also failed to keep to their flight schedules.
He argued that the cost of airfares have kept several passengers away from air travel while airlines battle with low load factors which they try to mitigate by merging flights, thereby delaying and keeping passengers stranded.
“If you don’t have sufficient load factor for your flight, it makes no economic sense to run it at an operational loss. That is why the airlines should begin using low capacity aircraft for quick turnaround time. Low capacity of 50/80 seats and lower operating cost is what the airlines need now. Having low load factor is not economically viable for any of the airlines with the types of aircraft they are operating,” Ojikutu said.
However, Air Peace had in a statement explained that its repeated flight delays and cancellations were dictated by safety considerations.
The key travel rules you must know after EU-UK deal - YAHOO NEWS
Pet passports and eGates are among the key talking points after the EU and UK signed a wide-ranging post-Brexit deal.
Freelance Travel reporter
The EES is a new electronic system being introduced by the EU to replace the passport stamping process when you enter or leave a Schengen country, which includes most EU members and four non-EU Schengen states – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Ireland and Cyprus will continue stamps manually.
Read more: What does the new entry-exit system mean for Brits travelling to Europe?
So, no waiting for ink stamps in your passport once EES comes in, but your entrance and exit will still be tracked. The system will electronically log every time you cross a border into or out of the EU or Schengen area. UK citizens will still be able to travel to Ireland without a passport due to the two being part of a common travel area.
When EES goes live, you'll have your photo taken and your fingerprints scanned during a digital check-in at the border. The EES is expected to roll out gradually starting in October 2025.
EES will apply to people coming from countries outside the EU or Schengen area – what the EU calls "third countries”. That includes most UK travellers heading to Europe for short trips.
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A “short stay” means trips that last up to 90 days as a tourist or for certain other reasons within a 180-day period, which covers most UK-EU travel. Children of all ages will need to go through the system too, although those under 12 won’t need to give fingerprints – they will only be required to do a facial scan.
EES will apply in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
European pre-travel authorisation
The EU is also planning to roll out the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) in late 2026, which will require UK travellers to apply for pre-authorisation to travel, similar to the US's Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) or the UK’s electronic travel authorisation (ETA).
If you’re travelling from a visa-exempt third country – including the UK – for a short stay (again, up to 90 days within 180 days), you’ll need to apply for ETIAS. It will cost about €7 (£6) and be linked to the passport you used in your application and apply for three years, or until the document expires.
If you're travelling on a visa, you won't need ETIAS. Irish passport holders and British citizens with EU residency will also be exempt.
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ETIAS will be used in the same countries as EES, plus Cyprus: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Once it’s live, the only official site to apply from will be www.europa.eu/etias.
Pet passports
Post Brexit, one of the major complications for travellers with a pet dog, cat or ferret was having to get an often costly vet certificate in the UK before entering the EU and then another one in Europe before re-entering the UK.
The certificate could be issued if the pet is microchipped and has its up-to-date vaccines, including getting a rabies jab at least 21 days before travel. Tapeworm treatment is also required for some EU countries.
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Read more: New pet passport rules explained as UK reaches deal with EU
Under the new EU-UK deal - in details outlined under the sanitary and phytosanitary agreement - there will be new pet passports, which will be issued for the life of the animal, and will stop pet owners forking out for certificates (or pet care/kennels, if they cannot get a certificate in time) before a trip to Europe.
Dates for this have not been fully detailed, but it’s unlikely the changes will be implemented before summer.
Roaming charges
The return to free mobile phone roaming between the UK and the EU was also mooted as part of a Brexit reset, but the recent deal failed to come up with any movement on this front.
The EU scrapped roaming charges in 2016, but this didn't apply to the UK after Brexit and now most network providers charge for roaming in Europe.
In the recent EU-UK talks, Starmer reportedly attempted to negotiate free-roaming mobile deals again, but failed to reach a new agreement on this front. So providers will continue to charge customers various fees to use their phones in Europe.
The only major provider that currently doesn’t charge EU roaming charges is O2, which allows up to 25GB of free data while roaming in the EU.
However, many operators do offer packages on call and data roaming, so it’s worth checking for the best deal before you jet abroad.
Overland Airways restores flights to Warri airport - THE GUARDIAN
By : Joke Falaju, Abuja
Expands Jalingo, Minna services
Overland Airways has announced the resumption of flight services to Warri (Osubi Airport), Delta State, from Lagos and Abuja, effective May 20, 2025.
Overland Airways will operate the Warri-Lagos-Warri route and the Warri-Abuja-Warri route on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, offering morning arrival and departure into and from Warri.
Chief Operating Officer of Overland Airways, Mrs Aderonke Emmanuel-James, said: “Overland Airways resumption of flight services to Warri is in response to the yearnings of our customers for reliable air transport to connect the city and its environs with Abuja and Lagos.
“This flight will support important economic and social linkages between the people of Delta State and other parts of Nigeria. Passengers on the Warri service can connect seamlessly across our network to destinations in Northern and Southwestern Nigeria. To fully support this aspiration, we are deploying on the route our brand-new Embraer E-175 jet aircraft, which features Premium and Economy Class cabins.”
Overland Airways expanding route network has seen the restoration of flight services from Lagos and Abuja to Jalingo, Taraba State; and commencement of new services from Lagos and Abuja to Minna, Niger State. The Warri route is the latest route, while plans are afoot to launch other routes in the months ahead.
“We have commenced with three weekly flight services from Warri to Abuja and Lagos with plans to scale up the services to a daily operation in the coming weeks. We express our appreciation to the Management and Staff of Osubi Airport for their support and assure our customers of the consistent and reliable flight services that Overland Airways is noted for,” James added.
Overland Airways’ service offering has evolved from an all-turboprop fleet to a mixed fleet with the introduction of brand-new Embraer E175 jets. In October 2024, Overland Airways renewed its IOSA safety certification for the 5th consecutive time, reaffirming its position as a safe and leading African carrier.
FG to sanction airlines bringing passengers without valid visas - PUNCH
BY Olasunkanmi Akinlotan
The Federal Government has threatened that any airline caught airlifting passengers into Nigeria without a valid entry visa, Landing, and Exit cards would be sanctioned.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stated this during a stakeholders’ engagement programme on the implementation of the E-Visa, Landing and Exit Cards on Friday in Lagos.
The Minister, who was emphatic on the Federal Government’s resolutions, vehemently said that Nigeria is not a dumping ground and that no foreigner should be allowed entry without a visa.
He added that although Nigeria was making entry more accessible with the introduction of the E-Visa, but the country would not compromise on national security.
He urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority on the enlightenment and enforcement of its oversight function as a regulator to ensure that airlines adhere to the 2025 Nigeria Visa Policy.
Tunji-Ojo further tasked airlines on national security, stating that the E-Visa was of national interest to improve border security, tourism, and sustainable economic growth.
“I plead with the NCAA to regulate, that is why this meeting is a strategic collaborative effort of the ministry, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the NCAA. I can see the DG of the NCAA on seat and that is what is called collaboration.
“For the airlines, I know you are here to do business but you also have a responsibility in terms of national interest and security. Before anybody comes to Nigeria, please see their Visas, not a proof of payment or their tickets.
“It is not acceptable in the UK, US, Canada, and other climes, and it will not be acceptable in Nigeria anymore,” he added.
Speaking on the ease of applying for the E-Visa and Landing and Exit cards, Tunji-Ojo said that it was necessary for the purpose of opening Nigeria’s frontiers to investors.
He disclosed that as of May 22nd, the NIS had received a total of 5,814 applications, approved 5,671, rejected 66, and queried 62 applications since the introduction of E-Visa on May 1.
According to him, the E-Visa process will improve the database of the NIS with information on travelers.
He explained the features of the E-Visa, the Landing and Exit cards with a barcode.
“That you applied for a Nigerian visa does not mean you will have the visa, you will need to meet certain criteria for the visa to be issued” he added.
The Director-General of the NCAA, Chris Najomo in his welcome address said that the introduction of the e-Visa and the associated Landing and Exit card systems was a milestone.
Najomo said that was a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards enhancing air travel facilitation while ensuring the highest standards of aviation security and operational efficiency are maintained.
“The e-Visa showcases one of the practical ways we continually align with global best practices by complying with the ICAO provisions of Annex 9 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation – on Facilitation.
“It is, inherently designed to improve the experience of travelers, while strengthening our border control mechanisms.
“The importance of seamless inter-agency collaboration cannot be over-emphasized in a bid to ensure the effective implementation of these systems without compromising safety, security, or service delivery.
“The benefits derived from e-Visa applicants being able to complete visa applications entirely online, with processing time reduced to less than 48 hours, would have a multiplier effect. It will showcase Nigeria as an investor- and tourist-friendly nation, invariably translating to economic growth.”
The Controller General of the NIS, Kemi Nandap in her closing remarks expressed her appreciation to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the NCAA D-G, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority, and the NIS team.
She called for more inter-agency collaborations to further strengthen the seamless implementation of the e-visa, Landing, and Exit cards innovation.
Nigeria Rests Plan to Establish National Carrier, Shifts Focus to Strengthening Domestic Airlines - THISDAY
The Nigerian government has rested its ambition to establish a national carrier, moving its focus to the growth of domestic airlines
The federal government has announced that it would no longer push for the establishment of a national carrier; rather, it would now give full support to the growth and expansion of domestic airlines.
It also said that airlines airlifting passengers into Nigeria without a valid entry visa, Landing and Exit cards would be penalised.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who disclosed federal government’s decision not establish a national carrier in Lagos on Friday during the launch of a book: ‘100 Years of Civil Aviation in Nigeria: History, Issues and Prospects’ written by Wole Shadare, said that government would no longer fund the national carrier project; instead, it would focus on supporting local carriers to thrive.
Keyamo said the government of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is committed to drafting policies that would support the growth and development of local airlines, citing recent policies that have enabled airlines to access aircraft for their operations, including the revised insurance regulation on leased aircraft and explained that the move was aimed at making aircraft more accessible for acquisition and lease by domestic operators, which would subsequently reduce airfares in Nigeria.
“We have shifted focus to ensure growth and development for local operators through our policies. Air Traffic Controllers have been trained and retrained, and revenue leakages have been addressed to boost earnings,” Keyamo said.
The minister also disclosed that almost all foreign airlines have complied with his directive that they should patronise local caterers for inflight catering.
He promised to build a smart airport and would seek the necessary approvals from the President to make it happen.
Keyamo lamented the state of the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), which has not seen any improvement since 1997. He emphasised the need to pull it down and build a new one.
In her remarks, Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), highlighted the growth of the aviation sector.
She noted that Nigeria currently has 39 certified airline operators, 31 airports nationwide, and over 2,100 licensed pilots.
According to Kuku, the aviation sector contributes approximately $1.7 billion to the country’s GDP, with private airlines connecting cities efficiently and international carriers recognising Nigeria as a critical market.
Kuku emphasised that despite challenges such as infrastructure deficiencies, regulatory frameworks, and financing requirements, there is still substantial potential for growth. She encouraged investors to see these challenges as opportunities.
The author of the launched book, Shadare, described the 25-chapter book as a comprehensive account of the aviation industry’s evolution in Nigeria over the past 100 years. The book aims to aid scholars and researchers in understanding the industry’s history and prospects.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said that henceforth sanctions would be imposed on airlines that fly passengers into Nigeria without valid visas.
The minister made the disclosure at a sensitisation programme on the new e-visa policy, which commenced this month, hosted by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Lagos on Friday.
Tunji-Ojo said the decision to sanction the airlines was the outcome of consultations held with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Keyamo, and the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo.
He said the airlines which frequently bring in passengers into Nigeria without visas cannot do the same in any other country as it is unacceptable anywhere in the world.
The minister also said Nigeria will no longer be a testing ground for practices prohibited in other parts of the world.
“We have issues with the airlines, and we have spoken to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority about it.
“A lot of people come into Nigeria without visas, and airlines pick them up. It is not the right thing to do. You can’t do this in any other country. If I want to travel to the UK and I don’t have a visa, British Airways will not pick me up. They must see my visa. Recently, we had to turn some people back because they didn’t have any visas. With the support of the NCAA, we will start to implement the law. Any airline that picks up passengers who do not have a visa will be fined.
“How can someone come from Europe or Asia without a visa and then come into Nigeria and start making calls to ask how he or she can get a visa? It is not done anywhere. Please, we are pleading with you, you are here to do business, but you must obey Nigeria’s laws. The NCAA should please enforce this regulation. Please, before anyone comes into Nigeria, make sure you see the person’s visa. Do not pick up anyone without a visa, and the NCAA will have to issue a directive to that effect. Unless you are from a visa-free country, you must have a visa before entering Nigeria. Nigeria is not a testing ground where you can do what you can’t do in other countries. The power of enforcement will come into play; you must cite the visa and confirm the person has a valid visa,” Tunji-Ojo said.
On the approval rate of visas, the minister said that the fact that someone applied for a Nigerian visa doesn’t mean the person would get it.
“If you don’t qualify, you won’t get it. This time around, we go and verify any information you input when applying for short stay visas. We go to the hotel and ensure as well. On the approval rate, as of May 22, 2025, we had 5,814 visa applications: 5,617 approved, 66 rejected, and 62 queried. That is for those coming for short stays. We go to the hotel you input to verify if you actually booked. We will create a perfect system,” he said.
The NCAA Director General, Capt. Najomo, speaking at the sensitisation programme, said the introduction of the e-Visa and the associated landing and exit card systems marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards enhancing air travel facilitation while ensuring the highest standards of aviation security and operational efficiency are maintained.
The Controller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nanna Nandap, in her closing remarks expressed appreciation to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Keyamo, the NCAA D-G, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority and the NIS team.
She called for more inter-agency collaborations to further strengthen the seamless implementation of the e-visa, Landing and Exit cards innovation.
Chinedu Eze
FG warns airlines against bringing passengers without valid visas, threatens sanctions - BUSINESSDAY
The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to international airlines operating into Nigeria, cautioning that any carrier found airlifting passengers without valid entry visas, as well as landing and exit cards, will face stiff sanctions.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, delivered the warning on Friday in Lagos during a stakeholders’ engagement session on the implementation of Nigeria’s new electronic visa (E-Visa), Landing and Exit Cards.
The event brought together key players from the aviation and immigration sectors to align efforts on enforcing the revised 2025 Nigeria Visa Policy.
Tunji-Ojo was unequivocal in his message, stressing that Nigeria will no longer tolerate the entry of undocumented foreigners.
“Nigeria is not a dumping ground. No foreigner should be allowed into this country without a valid Visa. “The introduction of the E-Visa is meant to simplify entry processes, not compromise our national security”, he declared.
The Minister emphasised the critical role of airlines in national security and called on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to intensify regulatory oversight and ensure full compliance with the new visa policy.
“Before anyone boards a flight to Nigeria, airlines must confirm they have a valid visa, not just a ticket or a payment receipt.
“This is the global standard in places like the UK, US, and Canada, and Nigeria will no longer be an exception”, he said.
Tunji-Ojo praised the presence of Chris Najomo, NCAA Director-General, at the meeting, describing it as evidence of the inter-agency collaboration required for the successful implementation of the new system.
He also appealed to the aviation sector to balance commercial interests with their responsibility toward national interest and border control.
“Airlines are here to do business, but that business must not endanger Nigeria’s sovereignty or security,” he added.
The minister also highlighted the efficiency of the new E-Visa system, which he said was introduced on May 1 to facilitate legitimate travel while tightening security.
“As of May 22, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had received 5,814 visa applications, of which 5,671 were approved, 66 rejected, and 62 queried”, he added.
He clarified that applying for a visa does not guarantee entry, as each applicant must meet set criteria. He also explained that both the E-Visa and Landing/Exit cards are embedded with barcodes to enhance data tracking and immigration control.
Speaking earlier, Najomo described the E-Visa system and associated landing/exit procedures as “a major milestone” in Nigeria’s aviation modernisation efforts.
“This development demonstrates our commitment to aligning with global best practices, particularly with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Annex 9 standards on facilitation.
“The system improves traveler experience, enhances security, and boosts operational efficiency,” he said.
Najomo also noted that enabling visa applications to be completed entirely online with a turnaround time of under 48 hours would help position Nigeria as a destination for both investors and tourists, with potential for significant economic impact.
In her closing remarks, Kemi Nandap, Controller-General of the NIS, commended all stakeholders involved, including the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the NCAA, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
She called for deeper inter-agency collaboration to ensure the smooth rollout of the E-Visa system, Landing, and Exit Cards initiative.
“Only through coordinated action can we guarantee the seamless and secure implementation of this transformative border control system,” she said.
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