In the wake of ease of Covid19 lockdown, Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has made available several Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP) for the travelers particularly those traveling by air into and out of the country either from or to other part of the world.
It is mandatory for intending travellers to carry out a COVID-19 PCR test at least 96 hours before travel to Nigeria. The result should be updated on the portal (nitp.ncdc.gov.ng) as soon as this is received. It is advised that this is done before proceeding to the airport for departure.
In a Press Statement by NCDC, “We are aware of the challenges that many travellers have been experiencing with the travel Portal, including difficulties making payment and generation of a QR code. We are working with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF-COVID-19), the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that these issues are promptly resolved. Our ultimate goal is to facilitate a safe and seamless travel to and from Nigeria.”
In the interim, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has notified all airlines that passengers to Nigeria who are unable to pay for the repeat test online, should be allowed to board the aircraft if they have a valid COVID-19 PCR Negative Test. These passengers will be required to pay for their repeat test on arrival in Nigeria.
Read some of the FAQ below:
How much does the COVID-19 repeat test for travelers’ cost?
The cost of COVID-19 PCR test varies across private laboratories. Currently, it ranges between 42,750 – 50,400 naira on the payment portal.
What is the procedure for short trips (less than 7 days)?
All travelers to Nigeria must adhere to the self-isolation period. Please consider
reviewing your travel plans to ensure that you can adhere to the self-isolation guidance, such as extending your travel time. For short trips, you may consider virtual meeting options while you are in self-isolation.
Is the test required for children under the age of 18?
Currently, only children under the age of 10 are exempt from providing a negative COVID-19 PCR test result before travel.
What countries require a PCR negative test?
This depends on the country you are travelling to, as countries have different
entry requirements. Kindly check with the embassy of the country you intend to
travel.
When should the pre-boarding COVID-19 test be done?
The pre-boarding COVID-19 PCR test MUST be within 96 hours before
departure (mandatory) and preferably within 72 hours pre-boarding (advisory).
Tests done more than 96 hours before departure are not valid and persons will
not be allowed to board. Please note that tests other than PCR tests for COVID-
19 (such as rapid diagnostic IgG/IgM or antigen tests) are not acceptable.
When should I register on the travel portal?
You are advised to begin your registration the moment you receive your
COVID-19 PCR negative test result. This is to give sufficient time in the event of
payment-related or any other delays.
When should the post-arrival COVID-19 test be done?
The post arrival COVID-19 PCR test should be done on the 7th day after arrival. You will be contacted via email to schedule an appointment by the private laboratory you selected during online registration and payment. However, if you develop symptoms of COVID-19 while in self-isolation, please contact the state emergency help-line or the NCDC toll free number 0800 9700 0010 immediately.
When should passengers with long layovers carry out their pre-boarding
tests?
The pre-boarding COVID-19 PCR test MUST be within 96 hours pre-departure (mandatory) and preferably within 72 hours pre-boarding (advisory) before leaving the country of travel origin. Remember to maintain strict physical distancing and respiratory hygiene standards during your layover.
I keep receiving an error message saying, “duplicate records”. What should I do?
Duplicate records mean the system has received and stored your information.
This means you started an earlier transaction and could not finalise or there is a delay in receiving a response.
Please do any of the following:
- Ensure you are registering through the national portal
https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng/
- Check your email spam folder to be sure your confirmation email/QR
code has not been received.
- Use an alternative email to restart the process
Must travelers departing from Nigeria test for COVID-19?
The requirement for COVID-19 PCR negative test depends on the airline and travel destination. Kindly check with the airline you are travelling with and/or the embassy of the country you intend to travel to.
In my country of departure, it takes 7 days to get results. What should I do?
It is mandatory that all tests are taken at least 96 hours before travel. Please contact an accredited private laboratory in your country of departure for travel- related testing.
I am yet to get a QR code despite making payment. What should I do?
Visit https://saferports.com/my-traveller-record/ to retrieve your QR code Access Report instantly.
I cannot afford to stay in either Lagos
or Abuja for 7 days. Can I carry out a test outside Lagos and Abuja?
Yes, you can carry out a test at your state of residence if there is an accredited private laboratory in the state on the payment portal. If there is no private laboratory in your state of final destination, the laboratory you have chosen for your test during registration will make arrangements to have your sample taken at a designated site. The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and NCDC are urgently working with
all states to create a mechanism for private testing. Please see list of accredited private laboratories on the NCDC COVID -19 website: https://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng/privatelabs/
My airport of departure and terminal
option are not captured on the portal. What should I do?
Please send the details of your airport and terminal options to travelportal@ncdc.gov.ng. Please send an email to travelportal@ncdc.gov.ng with Subject: CORRECTION OF TRAVEL INFORMATION.
How do I correct the information already provided?
As a temporary measure, any passenger that is unable to complete payment online will be allowed to board the flight if they have a valid COVID-19 negative PCR result. The passenger will be required to pay for the repeat COVID-19 PCR test on arrival in Nigeria. Please note that passengers without a QR code may face longer delays on arrival in Nigeria before exiting the airport.
My airline insists on a QR code before boarding, but I haven’t received one since making payment. What should I do?
What should I do if I am debited for a
failed payment or if I am debited more
than once for a payment?
Please follow the following steps:
- Complain to your Bank providing transaction details (transaction date,
amount, and transaction reference). - You may be required to provide the first 6 digits and last 4 digits on your
debit card (masked pan). - For cards issued by Nigerian Banks, dispute will be resolved 3 working
days from the date the complaint is logged with your Bank. - For international cards, disputes will be resolved within 45 days from the
date the complaint is logged with your Bank.