Nigeria is seeking changes to Morocco’s transit rules for Nigerian passengers after an increase in the use of forged Schengen visas and cases of travellers absconding during long layovers in Casablanca, a Nigerian aviation official said.
According to Nigerian Leadership News, Michael Achimugu, director of public affairs and consumer protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said some passengers had deliberately booked lengthy stopovers at Casablanca airport to secure hotel accommodation before leaving the airport and attempting to travel to Europe illegally.
The cases have contributed to tighter Moroccan entry restrictions for Nigerian passengers without visas, including some who would otherwise qualify for hotel accommodation during long transit periods, Achimugu said at a session on challenges facing Nigerian travellers transiting through Morocco.
He said forged Schengen visas had become increasingly sophisticated and were often difficult for immigration officers and airline security staff to detect before passengers leave Nigeria. Some are identified only at transit airports or after travellers reach Europe, he pointed out.
Nigeria has raised the issue with Moroccan authorities through diplomatic channels, seeking to ensure that legitimate travellers are not penalised for the actions of a small number of passengers, Achimugu said.
The NCAA has asked Morocco to review data on Nigerian passengers who have absconded during transit and reconsider entry arrangements for those eligible for hotel accommodation during lengthy layovers.
Achimugu also noted the regional director of Royal Air Maroc had indicated that the airline had raised the issue with Moroccan authorities and that it remained under consideration.
Nigeria will continue to use diplomatic channels to address the issue, Achimugu said, while urging travellers to comply with immigration and transit rules to avoid undermining efforts to ease restrictions.
As an interim measure, the NCAA has proposed that airlines increase accommodation options for Nigerian passengers facing lengthy layovers without permission to enter Morocco. Options include adding hotel rooms near Casablanca airport or allowing eligible passengers to use airport lounges during extended transit periods.
