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FG Issues 14,000 e-Visas, Declares War on Illegal Stay in Nigeria!

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The Federal Government has announced August 1, 2025, as the deadline for enforcing strict penalties on foreign nationals who have exceeded their visa stay limits.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Federal Government has set August 1, 2025, as the deadline to begin enforcing strict penalties on foreigners who have overstayed their visas in Nigeria.

To help affected individuals avoid these sanctions, the government has launched an online immigration amnesty portal in July, giving foreigners the opportunity to regularise their status before the penalties take effect.

Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo made the announcement on Monday during a stakeholders’ sensitisation forum on new innovations in international passenger travel at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Abuja.

“Once the amnesty period ends, the law will be enforced fully, and overstayers will face penalties,” Tunji-Ojo stated. Addressing members of the diplomatic corps, he urged them to inform their citizens to take advantage of the window. “Our laws must be respected by all. This amnesty is a show of good faith, but it will not last forever.”

The amnesty is part of a broader immigration reform framework introduced in April and implemented in two phases. Beginning May 1, the government imposed a daily overstay surcharge of $15. However, it granted a three-month grace period—ending July 31—for individuals to legalize their stay without penalty.

From August 1, overstayers will be liable for the accumulated surcharge and risk a five-year re-entry ban for stays longer than six months, or a 10-year ban for overstays exceeding a year, according to NIS guidelines.

The newly launched portal allows individuals with expired visas or residence permits—such as visa-on-arrival, single-entry visas, or expatriate residence cards—to apply online for regularisation. Applicants can upload documents, apply for stay permits, and receive clearance without physically visiting immigration offices.

Tunji-Ojo also highlighted significant achievements from recent reforms. He revealed that over 14,000 e-visas had been processed within six weeks of launch and announced that Nigeria now saves nearly ₦1 billion annually after scrapping the contract for physical archiving of passport and visa records.

“We cancelled manual archiving, which was costing close to ₦1 billion a year. Now, we can verify documents electronically, improving the integrity of our foundational data and saving costs,” he noted.

He added that the e-passport automation initiative, which began officially on January 8, 2024, has greatly streamlined the application process. Nigerians now complete the entire process online—submitting documents, paying fees, and scheduling biometric appointments—all without intermediaries.

By May 2025, officials said 99% of passport processing had gone fully digital, with only biometric capture and booklet pickup requiring in-person visits lasting no more than 20 minutes. In 2024, the ministry had cleared a backlog of 204,000 passports and introduced a contactless renewal system, replacing fingerprints with facial recognition.

Speaking on the vision behind these reforms, Tunji-Ojo said the goal is to eliminate scarcity and corruption in the immigration system. “People used to pay up to ₦500,000 for a ₦100,000 passport due to bottlenecks. If you want to end corruption, end scarcity.”

He also previewed the imminent launch of the electronic Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (e-CERPAC) and the e-Temporary Work Permit (e-TWP), both of which are set to go live in the coming week.

He stressed that the era of misusing the TWP system—where people entered the country under temporary work permits and kept renewing them unlawfully—was over. “Now, both the TWP and CERPAC systems are automated,” he said.

Tunji-Ojo concluded by reaffirming the economic potential of the reforms: “We must make it easier to do business and travel to Nigeria—without compromising national security. The e-visa is here to stay.”

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‘Kwankwaso Is More Experienced Than Peter Obi’ – Buhari’s Ex-Aide Declares.

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Ahmad made the assertion in a post on his X handle, maintaining that Kwankwaso’s decision to accept the position of running mate should be seen as an act of political modesty rather than an indication that he is less qualified than Obi.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to the former presidential aide, the relationship between the two politicians should be viewed as one of equals rather than that of a superior and a subordinate.

“To be entirely candid, the political dynamic between Rabiu Kwankwaso and Peter Obi ought to be characterised as one of collegiality between peers, rather than a hierarchy of principal and subordinate,” he wrote.

He added, “The choice to assume a deputy role beneath Obi ought to be interpreted as a testament to political modesty.”

Making a case for Kwankwaso’s political experience, Ahmad recalled that the former Kano State governor served as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives before Obi became a prominent figure in national politics.

He also noted that Kwankwaso governed Kano State, which he described as Nigeria’s most populous and politically influential state, for two terms and served as a federal minister.

“If we are assessing political experience, Sen. Kwankwaso probably has a longer and more impressive political background than Peter Obi,” Ahmad stated.

In contrast, the former presidential aide argued that Obi’s major public office experience was limited to his tenure as governor of Anambra State.

“Unlike other candidates, Peter Obi was just a former governor of Anambra State,” he wrote.

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‘I Have Stopped Impregnating Women’ – 2Baba Makes Shocking Revelation.

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Nigerian music star Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has declared that he no longer impregnates women.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The singer made the statement on Saturday during a live performance at Rehab Lounge in Calgary, Canada.

While performing his hit song True Love, 2Baba paused to interact with the audience and playfully asked the women present to identify where his true love was.

He jokingly wondered whether she was standing at the back of the venue or somewhere in front of him before making a remark about his experiences with women.

The award-winning musician told the audience that he had stopped getting women pregnant, adding that he had been making the same confession wherever he performed recently.

He said, “For the purpose of this show, I will pretend like I’ve never seen anything before. Where’s my true love? Is she back there? Is she right here? Is she somewhere here? Where’s my true love? You people shouldn’t put out me for trouble.

“As I said, some ladies they fear to shout. See, everywhere I go these days, I make this confession. As I say, some ladies they fear to shout. I say, I don’t fear to shout. Because I don’t stop to dey give woman belle. Ask anyone, they’ll tell you, I don’t do such thing things again.”

The singer’s comment comes amid public interest in his personal life and relationships.

2Baba was previously married to Nollywood actress Annie Macaulay-Idibia. The couple announced their separation in January 2025 after having two children together.

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NPFL Cracks Down! Abia Warriors, Katsina United, Warri Wolves Hit With Sanctions.

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Abia Warriors were fined ₦3.2 million for failing to provide adequate security as agreed during the pre-match technical meeting ahead of their encounter with Niger Tornadoes.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Abia Warriors were fined ₦3.2 million for failing to provide adequate security as agreed during the pre-match technical meeting ahead of their encounter with Niger Tornadoes.

The Umuahia-based club was also found guilty of an attempt by one of its officials to disrupt the live broadcast of the match by harassing a crew member of the league’s broadcast partner.

As part of the disciplinary measures, Abia Warriors’ multimedia officer, Chidera Favour Igwe, has been suspended from all NPFL match activities for five matches.

Katsina United, meanwhile, were fined ₦2 million for failing to provide adequate and effective security during their home fixture against Plateau United.

The club was also sanctioned for allowing supporters to encroach onto the field of play during the encounter.

Warri Wolves Receive Heaviest Punishment

Warri Wolves have been handed the most severe sanctions following the unruly behaviour of their supporters during Sunday’s Matchday 10 clash against Kano Pillars in Ozoro.

The Seasiders were fined ₦4.2 million and docked three points and three goals from their accumulated tally. The club was also ordered to play its next three home matches behind closed doors.

According to the NPFL, Warri Wolves failed to provide adequate security at the stadium, resulting in an assault on match officials after the final whistle.

The league further disclosed that the second assistant referee sustained a nose injury and was left bleeding during the incident.

The NPFL stated that all three clubs have 48 hours from the date of notification to appeal their respective sanctions in accordance with the league’s disciplinary procedures.

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