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Tag: Nigerian immigration

  • Nigerian immigration and foreign hackers

    Nigerian immigration and foreign hackers

    Last week, and the week before, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested hundreds of foreigners in Abuja and Lagos accused of hacking personal information and training hundreds of aspiring Nigerian hackers to indulge in scams. Many of those arrested have already been charged in court and admitted to bail. Soon, others will be arraigned. They have expectedly pleaded not guilty. But beyond their pleas, there is little doubt that most of them were arrested in flagrant delicto. How they hope to absolve themselves of guilt, even in a country as vast and amenable to corruption as Nigeria, is hard to fathom. But one never knows what judicial abracadabra may be afoot, indeed as the former governor Yahaya Bello has amply demonstrated.

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    Hopefully, the Nigerian authorities will diligently prosecute the alleged foreign and domestic hackers and scammers. The scale of their operations, as showcased by the EFCC on television last week and before, is mindboggling. But what should really form a major part of the investigations is the need to scrutinise the immigration process that enabled these foreign hackers to procure visas. Given their number and the magnitude of their audacious operations, it is likely that Nigeria is dealing with a ruthless syndicate with a capacity both to flout Nigerian laws and to undermine the system.

  • From haven of corruption to a beacon of hope – the story of Nigerian immigration service in London

    From haven of corruption to a beacon of hope – the story of Nigerian immigration service in London

    By Maxwell Adeyemi Adeleye 

    For years, the Nigerian Immigration Service at the Nigerian High Commission in London, United Kingdom was riddled with inefficiency, frustration, and corruption. 

    Nigerians in London had to endure endless waits, standing in long queues as early as 4 a.m whenever they come for their passport biometric appointment. 

    It was always from one hassle or the other, including faceoff with exploitative touts who had adopted the commission as their second address. 

    However, today, I am delighted to say that it is a great time to witness a remarkable transformation, that will turn this once-dreaded institution for passport applicants into a beacon of hope for Nigerians abroad. 

    During a recent unannounced visit to the High Commission’s passport section, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), experienced the dramatic improvements firsthand. 

    In Abike’s words,  “I was truly moved by the heartwarming stories shared by our people,” she remarked. “This is indeed a game changer for all Nigerians in the diaspora. This is what they have been looking for and it is unbelievable that it has happened.”

    She narrated her experience with three Nigerians who shared glowing testimonials about the reformed passport service under the leadership of Deputy Commander of Immigration (DCI) Bashir Aminu and supported by CG Immigration, Kemi Nandap and Minister of Interior, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo. 

    “It’s been a wonderful experience. We thought it was going to take a longer time but when we got here, it doesn’t even take up to two hours. So, our return tickets now will have to wait because we have eleven hours more to leave,” A Nigerian passport applicant, Luke and his spouse, Janet, spoke to Abike Dabiri at the Nigerian High Commission in London.

    “We have expected something quite tedious for us to renew our passports but fortunately, we found something so seamless thanks to the man called Aminu Bashir and his leaders such as Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and the CG Immigration who gave him the support to operate,” a long-time London resident, Adebayo Oluwaleye recounted his experience to Abike Dabiri during her visit.

    “I booked my return ticket for 7:30pm thinking I’ll be spend up to eight hours here. But here I am, done in just two hours,” another Nigerian, Chineye Odika, shared her experience.

    As a Nigerian in the diaspora myself, I am beyond elated to listen to the testimonies of my fellow Nigerians, the pride and assuarance that this particular innovation gives us is beyond the physical. To me, this is a way to mend the broken trust we once had in our leaders. Because we asked, the government listened, took actions, thereby making our lives easier. What more can we ask for?

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    Another course for celebration about this reform in the Nigerian House in London is the elimination of touts and middlemen. Now, we will no longer face unlawful charges or fall victim to fraudulent agents. 

    The clear, streamlined process leaves no room for exploitation. Previously, many people had to ‘settle’ someone to get their passport faster, but now, the official process is smooth and transparent. You know what to do, and don’t need anyone’s help. I applaud this particular move to eliminate corruption in the immigration system. 

    With these innovative reforms, the Nigerian Immigration Service in London is setting a new benchmark for service delivery. What was once a symbol of inefficiency has become a model of excellence, thanks to the determined leadership of Minister Tunji-Ojo, the NIS attache in London, Bashir Aminu, and the CG Immigration, Kemi Nandap.

    For all Nigerians abroad, this transformation is not just a bureaucratic fix— it is a restoration of our dignity and trust in a system that once seemed beyond repair. My hope now is that this positive innovation will extend to Nigerian embassies and immigration offices worldwide, ensuring that no Nigerian feels abandoned by their country again, regardless of where they are.

    *Maxwell Adeyemi Adeleye is a Strategic Communication Expert and the Convener of League of Progressive Nigerians (LPN) in the United Kingdom. @maxwell_adeleye on X*