This is a summary of the revised Covid-19 travel requirements for Nigeria released on 22 October 2021 by the Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19. The protocol came into effect on Sunday, 5 December 2021 and is endorsed by Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government and Chairman of Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19.

 For Incoming Passengers

There are pre-boarding and boarding requirements for In-bound passengers to Nigeria. Passengers are to note the following:

  • You are required to carry out COVID-19 PCR test within 48 hours of departure
  • Do a post-arrival Day-2 COVID-19 PCR test (all travelers)
  • Self-isolate for 7 days for partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers and a Day-7 post-arrival negative COVID-19 PCR test to exit from isolation

Fully vaccinated means vaccination done at least two (2) weeks following (2) completed doses of either Astra Zeneca, Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, OR a single dose of Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

Partially vaccinated means: 1 completed dose of the above.


Approved PCR Test Centres in the Southeast Region

Pre-Boarding Requirements

  1. Before going to the Airport, check to confirm that you have completed the following five steps:

Step 1: Perform Covid-19 PCR Test not more than 48 hours before boarding. Only those who present electronic or hard copy of negative Covid-19 PCR Test are allowed to board.

Step 2: Register via the online national travel portal and fill the online health declaration/self-reporting form. Information/contact details must be correct and accurate.

Step 3 – Upload negative COVID-19 PCR test on to the portal and then proceed to payment. Children under 10 are exempted from payment for repeat test in Nigeria. Bring along a copy to Nigeria.

Step 4: Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travelers are to choose preferred laboratory/sample collection Centre based on location for self-isolation for 7 days in Nigeria. Choose bank to pay for Day 2 and Day 7 arrival COVID-19 PCR tests in Nigeria. If fully vaccinated, select preferred laboratory/sample collection Centre based for Day 2 arrival test. Choose bank and pay for test.

Step 5 – Download, save, print and present during boarding, the Permit to Travel Certificate/QR Code. Using “Get Permit to Travel” button. Forms with successful payment print with “PAID” label on Certificate. Passengers with “UNPAID’ labels in certificate will not be allowed to travel.

During boarding

Two documents and a screening test are required at point of departure before passengers are allowed to board:

  1. Present a negative COVID-19 PCR test done within 48 hours of departure. Airlines are directed to refuse boarding for anyone with non-PCR COVID-19 tests, such as antigen or antibody tests, a positive COVID-19 PCR test result, or tests beyond 48 hours of boarding
  2. Present Permit to Travel Certificate/QR Code, uploaded negative COVID-19 PCR result, and schedule of PCR tests on Days 2 and 7 on arrival in Nigeria.
  3. Travelers and Airlines that ignore this protocol shall be sanctioned as follows:
  4. Foreigners will be refused entry and returned to the point of embarkation at cost to the airline
  5. Nigerians and holders of permanent resident permits will be allowed entry but subjected to the procedure outlined in Section D below.
  6. Those arriving with forged (fake) COVID-19 PCR results will be escorted to a designated quarantine facility (government approved hotel) for a mandatory quarantine for a period of 7 days at expense to the traveler and further prosecuted.
  7. Airlines shall be fined USD 3,500 per traveler for failure to comply with any pre- boarding requirements.
  8. Airlines that consistently fail to comply with the requirements may be banned from coming to Nigeria.
  9. Travelers required to undergo temperature screening and asked about COVID-19 symptoms. Those with temperature above 38oC and other COVID-19 related signs and symptoms shall not be allowed to board the flight.

On arrival in Nigeria

All travelers to observe the following:

  1. Adhere to instructions given by Port Health Services at the arrival terminal. Defaulters will be sanctioned by relevant security personnel.
  2. Go through the routine Port Health screening and present electronic or print-out evidence of pre-boarding COVID-19 PCR test, Permit to Travel Certificate/ QR Code; and Vaccination Certificate (where applicable); and
  3. Present international passports for clearance through the Nigerian Immigration Service System’s Migrants Identification Data Analysis System (MIDAS).

For partially vaccinated or unvaccinated

Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated in-bound travelers are to

  1. Proceed on mandatory 7 days self-isolation/quarantine in selected in-country destination address.
  2. Avoid physical interaction with friends, family members, colleagues, and other members of the public during self-isolation.
  3. Regularly check email/text for updates regarding repeat covid-19 pcr test from laboratory of their choice. Covid-19 response team may contact to ascertain state of self- isolation, days 2 & 7 testing appointment and health status
  4. Dutifully show up to have samples taken for PCR tests at selected laboratory/sample collection. The selected laboratory will send a reminder messages a day before appointment date.
  5. Persons who test negative for COVID-19 after 7 days of self-isolation/quarantine will be allowed to exit self-isolation on receipt of their result.

 For the fully vaccinated

Fully vaccinated in-bound travelers are to

  1. Show-up to have samples taken and COVID-19 PCR test done at selected laboratory/sample collection centres on the 2nd day of arrival.
  2. Laboratory will send reminder message a day before appointment date.

For All Travelers

  1. Those who fail to show up at sample collection centres will be sent reminders and will have their details forwarded to State Public Health Department teams and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for active follow-up.
  2. They will also have travel restrictions placed on their passports for at least six (6) months and will not be able to travel abroad during this period.
  3. Non-Nigerian passport holders will have their visas revoked and will be deported from the country.
  4. Test results to be provided within 24 hours. State Public Health Departments & NCDC will be informed. Travelers who do not get test results within 24 hours should contact the laboratory.
  5. Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated persons who test negative for COVID-19 after 7 days shall end self-isolation but continue to self-monitor for symptoms until Day 14
  6. Partially vaccinated, unvaccinated as well as fully vaccinated persons who test negative in Nigeria MUST continue to observe Non-Pharmaceutical Intervention measures (e.g., wearing face mask, maintaining social distance, regular washing of hands and use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers);
  7. Travelers reporting or developing symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival in Nigeria, or during screening will not be allowed to self-isolate and will be placed in institutional quarantine; and
  8. Persons who test positive for COVID-19 after the post-arrival Days 2 and 7 test (as applicable) shall be managed based on national guidelines for COVID-19 treatment.

Sanctions for travelers without valid PCR result

Non-valid COVID-19 PCR result include no COVID-19 PCR test result, forged COVID-19 PCR test result, and COVID-19 antigen or antibody test result. Passengers without valid test results will be subjected to the following measures:

  1. If holding foreign passport and a non-resident, will be denied entry and returned to the point of embarkation at cost to the airline.
  2. For Nigerians and foreign passport holders with residency rights
    • Port Health Services will screen traveler and review of health questionnaire to establish infectivity risk;
    • Escorted by Port Health Services and security personnel to a designated quarantine facility (government approved hotel) for a mandatory quarantine for a period of  7 days at traveler’s expense;
    • Passport collected by relevant authorities and not released until after successful completion of mandatory quarantine period; and
    • Undergo a COVID-19 PCR test at designated private laboratory within 24 hours of arrival at quarantine facility and at traveler’s expense.
    • If tested positive traveler is transferred to an isolation facility and managed according to National treatment guidelines.
    • If tested negative, passenger continues with mandatory isolation at the quarantine facility until a satisfactory Day-7 COVID-19 PCR test is done.

Passengers traveling out of Nigeria

All passengers travelling out of Nigeria are required to provide:

  1. Evidence of full COVID-19 vaccination, or
  2. A negative COVID-19 PCR test done no longer than 48 hours before departure.

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