Nigeria: passenger data record
- Data protection law
- Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, signed June 2023 2
- Data protection authority
- Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) 1
- API/PNR status
- Live. API regulations proclaimed, reported 24 June 2024 3. NIS statement reported 1 August 2025 says airlines send API and PNR data 4
- Biometric collection at entry
- Yes at e-gates, using iris, fingerprint or facial scanning per the Interior Minister (May 2024) 6
- Date checked
- 21 October 2026
Data protection law and regulator
President Bola Tinubu signed the Nigeria Data Protection Bill 2023 into law, as reported by Ijeoma Olorunfemi of the News Agency of Nigeria on 14 June 2023 2. The Act established the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, which replaced the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau 2.
The NDPC website states that the Commission was established under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 1. The site publishes the Act and the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025 on its resources pages 1. The pages we opened do not mention immigration or passenger data 1.
Advance passenger information
The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation reported on 24 June 2024 that regulations for the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) had been proclaimed in line with an ICAO standard 3. Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said Nigeria had struggled with this project since 2003 3. He said the system links to the Interpol I-24/7 network and lets NIS screen travellers 3.
On 1 August 2025 the News Agency of Nigeria reported remarks by NIS Comptroller General Kemi Nandap 4. She said a newly deployed border management system uses API and PNR data, and that airlines send the data of passengers coming to Nigeria so that NIS can profile them before arrival 4. The report did not name the system or a supplier 4.
The regulations themselves were not available to us. The sources we opened do not state the data fields, retention period or penalties for airlines 3,4.
E-gates and biometrics
In February 2024 the Interior Minister inspected e-gates at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria 5. He said the gates scan the passport and read facial and biometric features 5. The same report said APIS was more than 70 percent ready 5.
As reported by Chinedu Eze of ThisDay on 26 May 2024, e-gates at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, were at the user acceptance test stage 6. The minister said the gates identify travellers by iris, fingerprint or facial scanning 6. On 23 June 2024 he said the Abuja installation was complete and the gates would be commissioned by the President, as reported by Caleb Obiowo of Nairametrics 7. The ministry report of 24 June 2024 said each e-gate screens a traveller in 24 seconds 3.
Where NIS data is held
In May 2024 the Interior Minister said NIS data had been held in a private company data centre 6. He said it was not acceptable for the data to be domiciled with a third party 6. He said the government had completed its own data centre, with NIS as custodian of its data 6. The company was not named 6.
Chronology
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 2023 2 | Nigeria Data Protection Act signed 2 |
| 20 February 2024 5 | Minister inspects Abuja e-gates and reports APIS over 70 percent ready 5 |
| 26 May 2024 6 | Lagos e-gates at user acceptance test stage 6 |
| 23 June 2024 7 | Minister says Abuja e-gate installation is complete 7 |
| 24 June 2024 3 | Ministry reports APIS regulations proclaimed 3 |
| 1 August 2025 4 | NIS statement reported: airlines send API and PNR data before arrival 4 |
Common questions
Who receives airline passenger data in Nigeria?
The Nigeria Immigration Service screens travellers using API and PNR data sent by airlines 3,4.
Which law protects personal data in Nigeria?
The Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, signed in June 2023 and enforced by the NDPC 1,2.
Do Nigerian airport e-gates collect biometrics?
Yes. The Interior Minister said the gates use iris, fingerprint or facial scanning 6.
How many e-gates does Nigeria have?
Reports differ. The minister cited 21 in Lagos and four each in Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt in May 2024 6. Abuja counts of 10 and 8 were reported in 2024 5,7.
Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.
Sources
- Nigeria Data Protection Commission: official website
- News Agency of Nigeria, Ijeoma Olorunfemi: Tinubu signs data protection bill into law (14 June 2023)
- Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation: Issuance of the Proclamation of Regulations for APIS to Boost Border Security (24 June 2024)
- News Agency of Nigeria, Ibironke Ariyo: NIS border system enhances passenger profiling, national security, CG (1 August 2025)
- News Agency of Nigeria: E-gate to ease clearance of intl. passengers, Interior minister (20 February 2024)
- ThisDay, Chinedu Eze: Interior Minister Inspects E-Gate at MMIA, Explains Importance of FG's Data Centre (26 May 2024)
- Nairametrics, Caleb Obiowo: E-Gates installation at Abuja International Airport now 100% complete, Interior Minister (23 June 2024)
Related
- Advance Passenger Information (API) explained
What API data is, which fields airlines send, who receives it, the legal basis, how long it is kept, and examples from four jurisdictions.
- Passenger Name Record (PNR) data explained
What PNR data is, the 19 EU data elements, who sends and receives it, the legal basis, retention rules and the 2022 EU Court of Justice ruling.
- Biometric data at borders
Which fingerprints and facial images border agencies collect from travellers, the legal basis, who holds the records and how long they are kept.
- Data sovereignty and border systems
Where border and passenger data must be stored, who can reach it, and what Kenyan, EU, Philippine and UN rules say about hosting and transfer.
- Who oversees passenger data
The bodies that check how governments use API and PNR data: data protection authorities, data protection officers, courts and UN standards.
- Ghana passenger data record
What is on the public record about Ghana's API and PNR systems, the aviation security directive behind them, and the Data Protection Commission.