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Tag: NIS

  • Minister announces May 1 takeoff for immigration, expatriate quota reforms

    Minister announces May 1 takeoff for immigration, expatriate quota reforms

    The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that key reforms introduced by the ministry and the Nigeria Immigration Service—particularly in expatriate quota management and the new visa policy—will officially take effect from May 1, 2025.

    Tunji-Ojo made the disclosure during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) House in Lagos on Friday, April 11.

    Speaking on the new direction for quota allocations, the minister emphasized the introduction of stricter measures to curb indiscriminate approvals, stressing that all quota applications submitted for approval must be justifiable and in line with national interest.

    He further clarified that low-skilled jobs such as those for waitresses, drivers, and roles suitable for secondary school certificate holders would no longer be eligible for expatriate quota approval under the new policy.

    “We cannot sacrifice the comfort of tomorrow on the altar of today’s comfort, and it is my interest for us to do what is right, on the issue of quota, we will be a little bit more stiff, and that is why I tell you, before a director could approve a quota, I have cancelled that, the perm sec has a limit then it comes to the minister.

    “I was embarrassed when a colleague showed me a quota for a waitress, and I was ashamed it was actually approved in the ministry, a company sent a request, and one of the requests was a driver, how can we do this to our county?,” he said.

    He affirmed that the essence of the quota was that if there were no Nigerian with the capacity to do the job, then somebody could be brought in, with Nigerians under studying the person so that there would be knowledge transfer.

    The minister also assured that the fees for obtaining Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Alien Card (CERPAC) would not be increased.

    Tunji-Ojo further stated that CERPAC would be integrated with Interpol to allow for easy identification of criminals.

    “We are introducing e-CERPAC; a virtual copy will be sent to your email and there will be machine readable cards that cannot be faked,” he said.

    Addressing travelers, Tunji-Ojo said those who overstay their visas will, from August, face a daily fine of $15 and risk a ban of up to five years from re-entering the country.

    Read Also: Immigration arrests 51 illegal migrants in Nasarawa

    According to the minister, although the new penalties will technically take effect in May 2025, a grace period will be observed until August to allow affected individuals ample time to comply.

    Tunji-Ojo said, “will allow visa holders time to adjust to the new policy before the full enforcement begins in August.”

    The minister listed other reforms to include: Temporary Expatriate Resident Permit (TERP), Insurance, landing and exit card and e-visa solution.

    He stressed the need for Nigeria to clean its immigration system and build a system that everyone would be proud of.

    Consequently, he directed that an expatriate support desk be set up at immigration offices across the country.

  • Tinubu extends Immigration CG Nandap’s tenure till next year

    Tinubu extends Immigration CG Nandap’s tenure till next year

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the extension of the tenure of Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs. Kemi Nanna Nandap.

    The move was aimed at consolidating recent advancements in Nigeria’s immigration management.

    According to a statement issued on Monday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Mrs. Nandap will now serve in the role until December 31, 2026.

    Mrs. Nandap, who began her career in the NIS on October 9, 1989, was initially appointed by President Tinubu as Comptroller-General on March 1, 2024, with a term set to end on August 31, 2025.

    However, her tenure has now been extended by over a year, reflecting the administration’s confidence in her leadership and the progress made under her stewardship.

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    Since her appointment, Mrs. Nandap has overseen significant improvements in border management, the modernization of immigration processes, and the strengthening of national security measures.

    Her leadership has been instrumental in driving reforms that align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Commending her performance, President Tinubu urged Mrs. Nandap to remain committed to the strategic priorities of the Service, ensuring Nigeria’s territorial integrity while facilitating safe and legal migration.

  • NIS launches contactless passport solution in Europe Feb 7

    NIS launches contactless passport solution in Europe Feb 7

    Nigeria is set to launch a contactless passport application solution in Europe, Mrs Kemi Nanna Nandap, Comptroller General, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) announced on Tuesday. 

    The NIS boss, who made the disclosure during a courtesy visit to Abike Dabiri-Erewa Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission at NiDCOM headquarters in Abuja, also said the UK will serve as the coordinating centre for the launch slated for 7th February 2025.

    “This initiative set for  launch on 7th of February 2025 will enable Nigerians in the Diaspora to apply for and renew their passports online from the comfort of their homes,” she stated.

    Nandap reiterated that the innovative solution is designed to simplify the passport application process for Diaspora, save time, and reduce costs associated with travelling to apply for a passport.

    She said that the initiative is not for fresh applicants or minors  but for those renewing their passports.

    She said Nigerians living abroad can start the process of renewing their passports a year to its expiration.

    Nandap also commended NIDCOM for being a dependable partner and ally in advocacy in giving awareness to its programmes and policies, especially as it affects Nigerians living abroad.

    The Comptroller General said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given them the marching order to make life easier for Nigerians in the diaspora, saying the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has in the meantime approved a passport processing facility for New York, to address the backlog and bring experience there.

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    She added that passport front offices will soon be opened in other parts of the US and other countries. 

    Responding,  Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), commended the laudable initiative, which aligns with the Commission’s mandate to support and facilitate diaspora engagement.

    “The launch of the contactless passport application solution in Europe is a significant step towards efficient, secure, and convenient travel document management for Nigerians in the diaspora. NiDCOM will continue to support, monitor and collaborate with the NIS to ensure the success of this initiative” she added.

    She commended the Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo  and the Comptroller General for the innovations introduced, noting that the contactless application has since taken off in Canada with commendations from Nigerians in Canada. 

  • NIS issues 1.8m passports, repatriates 828 foreigners in 2024

    NIS issues 1.8m passports, repatriates 828 foreigners in 2024

    No fewer than 1,836,533 passports were issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), while 828 foreigners were repatriated between January and December 2024.

    The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja, during a media parley and interactive session with heads of the six agencies under the ministry.

    Tunji-Ojo said that other achievements recorded within the period under review include the clearance of a backlog of more than 200,000 passport application.

    “Within the period under review too, we rescued 137 victims of human trafficking, while 42 objects of smuggling of migrants were intercepted.

    The minister also disclosed that in the realm of border security, the ministry had completed the first phase of the e-border solution, covering 40 per cent of the nation’s borders.

    He noted that a secured border ensures a safe nation, adding that newly acquired vehicles and e-gates have been deployed to improve border management.

    He also disclosed the ministry’s innovations in visa processing, which include the establishment of a Visa Approval Center in Abuja and the integration of Interpol’s database for profiling applicants.

    He explained that this ensured that only eligible individuals gain entry into Nigeria, while strengthening national security.

    Tunji-Ojo further spoke on the reforms in granting Nigerian citizenship, which he said now involved a rigorous verification process in collaboration with security agencies.

    ”Becoming a Nigerian citizen today is a more transparent and technology-driven process. This ensures integrity without creating unnecessary bureaucracy,” he explained.

    He pledged continued reforms, including improving operational efficiency and leveraging technology to meet national security and administrative goals.

    Read Also: NIS  lists Lalong, Ladipo, Bako, Onyema, Soname for  Fellowship Awards

    ”We are not yet where we want to be, but progress has been made, and we remain committed to delivering better services to Nigerians, “he said.

    The minister noted that President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a secured, innovative, and efficient system was being realised through the various reforms.

    “Nigerians deserve a system that works for them,” he emphasised.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the interior minister provided a detailed account of accomplishments across the ministry and its six agencies.

    The agencies include the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS ), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Fire Service (FFS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and the CDCFIB.(NAN)

  • Ex-NFF protocol officer decorated  with new NIS rank

    Ex-NFF protocol officer decorated  with new NIS rank

    A former Nigeria Premier Football  League (NPFL)  match commissioner, Robert Terlumun Akpenpuun,  was yesterday decorated  in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, with his  insignia as an Assistant Comptroller in the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS ).

    Akpenpuun, fondly called ‘Bob’, was for many years , a protocol officer for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and has  been  on diplomatic assignment at the Nigerian Embassy in Cote d’Ivoire since 2023.

    Though  elevated to the position of Assistant Comptroller in the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) in September, Akpenpuun  was only decorated  yesterday with his new rank  in the presence  of his wife,

     by the chargé d’affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Cote d’Ivoire, Mrs. Itam Icha.

    His promotion to the senior cadre of the NIS  was as a result  of his  unwavering commitment and dedication to duties.

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    Last September, a source in the diplomatic circle reportedly  said  that  Akpenpuun has “shown exemplary and uncommon strides in improving lives as well as uplift of the vulnerable as well as the emotionally abused and the downtrodden in the society.”

    It was gathered that he recently spearheaded the rescue of Tiv girls trafficked from Nigeria to Abidjan for prostitution.

    “He has continued to be a good ambassador of his country, a beacon of hope, a restorer of norms, destinies, and dignity of his people, thus bringing pride, and honour to Nigeria,” the diplomatic source reportedly said.

  • NIS holds free medical outreach for 1000, residents in Lagos

    NIS holds free medical outreach for 1000, residents in Lagos

    The Nigerian Institute of Surveyor (NIS) has organised a free medical outreach for residents within Ikeja and its environs.

    The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that about 1000 residents in various locations within Ikeja benefitted from the free healthcare gesture from the institute.

    The chairman of the Institute Lagos branch, Kolade Kazeem, said the NIS  organised the free medical care as part of its Community Social Responsibility (CSR).

     “I think we will score ourselves high, there were already people from the neighborhood who knew what was going on so, it’s not only our way of giving back to ourselves, but giving back to society.

    “And I think it is very well received by everybody around.  Like you said, it is a first-come, first-served business no criteria for selecting beneficiaries.

    “We have made provision for about, I think, a thousand people and once we’ve catered for a thousand, that’s all, It’s totally free it’s a way of giving community social responsibility,” he said.

    According to him, there are people who have little issues that we can handle here, diagnostics and some palliative treatment.

    Kazeem said the exercise was totally free for everyone adding that the major challenges has been the huge capital involved.

    “But we catered for that, we made some provision, maybe next year, if we need to increase the amount we’ll talk to members and they will increase but for now, so far, so good,” he added.

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     Kazeem said that the institute have the employee professional team handling the exercise effectively.

    The  chairman said the free healthcare exercise was the third edition where over 2000 residents have benefitted so far.

    He said that the institute hope to continue the exercise in the future.

    Dr Hassan Azeez, the Medical Doctor, who led the medical team to the free medical outreach said the healthcare exercise would help the residents check and examine their medical health conditions.

    Azeez said that majority of people were not taking proper consideration of their health system.

    This exercise will help a lot of people determining their health conditions early because it’s free.

    “This is one of the avenue where numbers of people enjoy free healthcare system and we enjoy them to take proper use of it.

    “We have prostate and cervical screening, eye test and free glasses, sugar level and high blood pressure screenings,” the Doctor said.

    Mr Olufemi Adebayo the Secretary of the Institute said in his remarks that the exercise has brought positive impact to the residents.

    According to him, the feedback received after the yearly exercise has given us more encouragement to continue the healthcare in bigger way.

    Mr Olayinka Lawal, one of the beneficiaries thanked the Surveyor institute for their annual free medical gesture to the community residents.

    Lawal said that the free medical screening would help and assist him in determining his medical condition.

    “Nowadays, it’s very expensive to access medical services in the hospital but thank to the NIS for their support for the residents.

    “It will go a lot way in saving the life of people around with the free drugs, eye glasses and medical screenings,” he said.

  • NIS stops 14 internationally flagged persons from entering Nigeria

    NIS stops 14 internationally flagged persons from entering Nigeria

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has stopped 14 internationally flagged persons of interest from entering Nigeria, the Minister of Interior Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said at the weekend. 

    Dr Tunji-Ojo said the development was a major breakthrough in the country’s fight against terrorism and cross-border crime.

    The Minister disclosed this during the official unveiling of the Modernising Nigeria Immigration Service (MoNIS) Workforce Project.

    The NIS career progression, training policy framework and gender mainstreaming policy were developed with the support of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

    It was aimed at strengthening the NIS in key areas of its operation.

    Tunji-Ojo emphasised that these accomplishments were achieved by the dedicated officers of the NIS who performed admirably without relying on assistance from other agencies.

    He said the arrests were made possible by advanced technology, which allowed the service to track and review the profiles of individuals before they even arrived at Nigerian borders.

    He said: “I am proud to say that the Nigerian Immigration Service is now doing business in an extraordinary way. From all indications, it is now positioned to compete with the best services in the world and defend the integrity of our nation.”

    The minister acknowledged that illegal migration had long posed persistent challenges to the country and stressed the necessity of institutionalising strategies to combat the issue. 

    He said modernising the Nigeria Immigration Service is not just an option but a necessity for the nation’s security.

    He emphasised that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is not merely about promises but about achieving real results through thoughtful resolutions and timely implementation.

    He said the President is committed to driving meaningful reforms to automate and modernize the NIS, to secure Nigeria’s borders and combat all forms of insecurity. 

    “President Tinubu is ready to approve the necessary resources to resolve issues, and we are committed to making these reforms a reality,” he added.

    Tunji-Ojo expressed optimism about the future of the NIS, stating that the days of overlooking qualified individuals with immense potential to contribute to the service are over. 

    “Once fully modernised and automated, the NIS will ensure a safer border and a more secure nation.

    “We are dealing with evolving patterns of crime, driven by advanced technologies and methodologies employed by smugglers, traffickers, and other criminals.

    “We must stay ahead of them, as they continue to innovate. Allowing criminals to be one step ahead of the state will lead to chaos and destruction,” Tunji-Ojo warned. 

    In her speech, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nanna Nandap, described the launch of the projects as the culmination of years of effort by officers of the service, stakeholders, and consultants who worked tirelessly under the Modernising Nigeria Immigration Service (MoNIS) Workforce Project. 

    Their efforts led to the development of key policy documents designed to guide the service in the efficient and effective management of human resources.

    Emphasizing that these policy documents directly address the efficient management of personnel, she noted that they also embedded professionalism and the core values of the service into the daily routines of its officers. 

    She explained that the importance placed on entrepreneurship as a critical factor of production makes the project particularly relevant for the service. 

    It will empower personnel to implement reforms and policies more pragmatically, thereby building a stronger institution capable of driving the service’s mandate, Mrs Nandap said. 

  • If you must Japa, do it legally, says NIS

    If you must Japa, do it legally, says NIS

    The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has cautioned against illegal migration, human trafficking, and migrants smuggling across borders. 

    The NIS Cross River State Command led by Comptroller Prisca Ogbodo hosted and completed the nationwide sensitisation on smuggling of migrants (SOM) in Cross River State. 

    It noted the Service’s nationwide campaign against migrants smuggling was commemorated by the State Command with other nine borders across the country 

    The State Command took the campaign to communities, traditional rulers, tertiary institutions, religious congregations and the Calabar public; educating them on the perils of irregular migration and particularly smuggling of migrants. 

     At the flag-off of the campaign in Cross River State, Comptroller Ogbodo charged personnel to be ambassadors against smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons. 

     She noted: “The geographic situation of Cross River as a border state implies consequentially that the state would be a source, transit and destination location for irregular migration including smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons.”

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    According to the NIS Cross River command, the  campaign ran on the powers of PART X to XVII, of the Immigration Act 2015, which prohibits smuggling of migrants, prescribes restitution for victims and imposes a penalty for the offense. 

    The Act issues on conviction, ten years imprisonment or a fine of not less than One Million Naira or both and a liability to refund to the migrant all monies obtained from him in the course of Committing the offense. 

    The goal of the sensitisation was prevention of the crime through public awareness and the protection of the rights of Migrants in line with national and International guidelines, the service said.

  • NIS addresses visa-on-arrival application process

    NIS addresses visa-on-arrival application process

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has addressed concerns surrounding Visa-On-Arrival (VOA) applications, prompted by recent payment platform upgrades by Nigerian financial institutions.

    The NIS Comptroller General, Kemi Nandap said this in a statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) Kenneth Udo on Saturday in Abuja.

    Nandap assured the public that all NIS platforms were functional, advising applicants to utilise online applications from home and make payments using bank cards for seamless transactions.

    “The attention of the Service has been drawn to recent challenges faced by the public due to systems upgrade on payment platforms by Nigerian Financial Institutions.

    Read Also: Era of passports scarcity home and abroad gone – Tunji-Ojo

    “The public is to note that all platforms of the Service are functional.

    “Consequently, we advises Visa applicants to apply for Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) in the comfort of their homes, and make payment online as provided on the portal using their bank cards for ease of transaction.

    “Any request for information/enquiry about the Service should be directed to the Service official channels

    “Official website: www.immigration.gov.ng, voa.immigration.gov.ng, X: @nigimmigration
    Facebook: @nigimmigration, Instagram: @nigimmigration, Contact Center Number: 07053401399, 09121900655, 09121556359,”he said.

    The NIS boss assured the public of its firm commitment to continuously ease the process of acquiring Visa-On-Arrival (VOA).

    (NAN)

  • NIS to crack down on illegal immigrants

    NIS to crack down on illegal immigrants

    Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has vowed to go tough on illegal and undocumented immigrants in Niger State.

    Niger Controller, Shehu Musa Ya’u, directed them to leave or face the full wrath of the law.

    He spoke with The Nation after receiving an award from the Chairman of Paikoro Local Government Area, Umaru Aminu.

    He said tightening the borders from illegal immigrants is part of the strategies being deployed to reduce insecurity.

    “We have been meeting with other security agencies and we will continue to do that and we will make our input.

    “The issue of security is a collective responsibility. We are determined to increase our scrutiny of illegal immigrants and increase awareness of this issue.

    “This is because it is those who come into the country without proper documentation that cause trouble for us.

    “We need the people to be aware of this, that those who go in and out of any community should be scrutinised before they are accepted,” he said.

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    On the processing of international passports, Ya’u said the command has been allocated booklets to enable speedy processing.

    “We are assuring everyone that if you come to Minna for your passport, you will get it that same day after your registration and biometrics, that is an assurance.

    “Part of what the Controller General has done is the speedy distribution of allocated passport booklets to the states,” Ya’u said.

    The Niger Controller dedicated the award to the NIS Controller General, saying that she has placed a lot of strategies in place to ensure that the institution is positioned to serve Nigerians better.

    “The Controller General has embarked in training and retraining of the men and officers of the Service to ensure that they are better equipped in servicing the people.

    “She has also facilitated the implementation of the arrears of the 28 days allowance which was not promptly paid in the past,” he said.

    Chairman of Paikoro LGA, Umaru Aminu, applauded the security agencies for their resilience in reducing insecurity in the LGA, assuring them of the council’s support.

    Aminu said the council honoured Ya’u because of his “impeccable character and high level of integrity”.