The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned citizens that having a valid visa does not guarantee entry into another country.
Michael Achimugu, Director, Public Affairs & Consumer Protection at NCAA, gave the advice in reaction to some Nigerians that were stranded at the Oliver Tambo International Airpot in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Sunday.
A public appeal was made by one of the stranded Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter), identified as @YemiFirstson.
“Myself and 3 other Nigerians have been unlawfully detained in Johannesburg airport for literally doing nothing, papers complete, visa valid, and they literally just singled us out of the crowd for nothing, and one of us’s phones has been seized all day and hasn’t been allowed to reach out to anyone.”
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Some of the Nigerians were released and will arrive in the country shortly.
Consequently, Achimugu also reacted to the incident through his X handle.
“If you are travelling abroad, please note that the possession of a valid visa does not guarantee entry into another country. Immigration can turn you back if you do not have watertight evidence of the purpose of your trip, address for the duration of stay, financial capacity to support your stay, etc.,” he said.
“Remember addresses by heart or, like I do, ensure to keep screenshots of the reserved hotel or address. Answer questions confidently (not arrogantly), and resist the urge to be unruly, no matter what. Whatever happens will eventually pass.
“It is good to inform Nigerian authorities immediately, for information purposes and for support, but deportation based on denied entry does not need a certain degree of tension.“
Rules
He added that visas can be cancelled even before departure from Nigeria.
Achumugu pointed out that NCAA treats these cases daily where passengers are denied boarding at the airport because, unbeknownst to aome of them, their visas had been cancelled.
“Please, panicking is not the solution, and here at the NCAA, our job is without emotions. We work within the letters of the regulations alone; we should learn to distinguish what complaints fall under the purview of the regulator and those that should be tagged to other agencies and ministries,” he concluded.
Challenges
Nigerians travelling and living abroad are increasingly facing consular challenges, as stricter immigration controls, visa scrutiny, and compliance checks reshape the global travel landscape.
From entry denials at airports to prolonged visa processing delays, reports indicate a steady rise in cases requiring intervention from agencies like the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria.
Popular destinations across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East are tightening border protocols, with travellers often flagged over inconsistent documentation, unclear travel intent, or previous immigration history.
Experts say the trend reflects a broader shift in how countries assess inbound travellers, with digital footprints, financial proofs, and travel history now playing a decisive role.
Within the ECOWAS region, where movement has traditionally been fluid, new security realities are also influencing border checks.
Travel advisers are urging Nigerians to take greater responsibility for their applications, avoid unverified agents, and stay aligned with official travel advisories.
As global mobility becomes more rules-driven, the margin for error is shrinking, and for many Nigerian travellers, preparation is now the difference between smooth entry and costly disruption.
