In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, the Service Public Relations Officer, SPRO, Akinsola Akinlabi, said that the action followed the expiration of the Federal Government’s Expired Visa Initiative (Amnesty), which ended by midnight of September 30.

The amnesty programme, announced on July 5, allowed foreigners with expired immigration status to regularise their stay in Nigeria without penalties.

Akinlabi said that the enforcement exercise, effective October 1, would target categories of foreigners.

This, he said, included holders of expired Visa on Arrival, VoA, holders of expired single and multiple-entry short visit or business visas as well as individuals with expired Comprehensive Expatriate Residence Permit and Automated Card, CERPAC.

Akinlabi said that foreign nationals found to have violated Nigeria’s immigration laws would face sanctions, including payment of overstay penalties, removal from the country, and possible restrictions from future entry into Nigeria.

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He also outlined applicable overstay penalties and entry restrictions as follows:

“Less than three months overstay attracts removal, a fine of 15 dollars per day for each day overstayed, or an option of a two-year entry ban.

“Overstay between three months and one year attracts removal, 15 dollars per day penalty or a five-year entry ban.

“Overstay of one year and above attracts removal and a 10-year or permanent entry ban,“ he emphasised.

The SPRO reiterated the Service’s commitment to ensuring lawful migration, safeguarding national security, and promoting transparency and efficiency across all immigration processes.

Source: NAN

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The announcement was made on Thursday in Abuja, in a statement by the Service Public Relations Officer, Mr. Akinsola Akinlabi.

The spokesman explained that the upward review was to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian passport.

He said with the new rates, applications made in Nigeria will now cost N100,000 for a 32-page booklet with five-year validity.

According to him, applications made in Nigeria for a 64-page booklet with 10 years validity will cost N200, 000.

However, he stated that applications made by Nigerians in the diaspora remained $150 for a 32-page booklet with five-year validity and $230 for a 64-page booklet with 10-year validity.

The spokesman said the NIS remained committed to ensuring quality service delivery with accessibility of passport services to all Nigerians.

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Akinlabi, a certified family planning trainer, said this on Monday in Osogbo during a virtual engagement programme organised by the State Public Health media team in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, The Challenge Initiative, TCI.

She spoke on “The Impacts of Family Planning Myths And Misconceptions on Spacing, Unplanned Pregnancy and Unsafe Abortion”.

The expert, also a registered public health nurse, said that the popular belief that contraceptive pills could encourage infidelity and cause permanent infertility in women was inaccurate.

According to her, contraceptive pills cannot cause cancer of the ovary and the lining of the uterus in women, as being speculated.

“Myths and misconceptions are the major challenge to uptake of family planning in the state and the country at large.

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“Various myths and misconceptions about family planning methods have led to high prevalence of teenage pregnancy, high maternal, mortality and morbidity rate, among others.

“These myths and misconceptions often surround family planning methods, creating confusion and hindering access to essential care.

“They negatively impact child spacing and abortion rates by preventing the use of contraceptives, leading to unwanted pregnancies, and subsequently, more abortions.

“These false beliefs create barriers to access and utilisation of family planning methods, increasing the risks of unwanted pregnancies and risky sexual behaviour.

“There is urgent need to dispel these myths and equip individuals with accurate facts to make informed decisions about their reproductive health,” she said.

Akinlabi called for collective responsibilities to dispel rumours about contraceptives, raise awareness about the benefits of family planning, and create safer space for girls and women in the society.

According to her, family planning empowers individuals to choose the number, spacing and timing of their children, leading to improved health outcomes for the mother and the child.

Source: NAN

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He was arrested on Wednesday by men of Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS.

Obieze, a native of Umuojor village in Ezeagu Council Area, Enugu, and a known traditionalist, was allegedly involved in the abduction of a 13-year-old girl, on Tuesday, May 27.

Witnesses told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that Obieze, also known as Obu Onyeka, was on a commercial Bajaj motorcycle going to Seme to escape when personnel of NIS, Lagos State Border Patrol Command, arrested him at about 2.00 p.m.

According to the sources, Obieze, a resident of Umuojor village, in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, escaped and took a night bus to Mile 2.

“He took a commercial car from Mile 2, to Badagry roundabout from where he hired a commercial Okada rider to Seme border.

“The commercial motorcyclist had passed the checkpoint of the immigration in Gbaji, a little before an officer ordered the rider to stop, recognising the person he was carrying.

“Obieze made attempt to escape but he was quickly apprehended by the officers who took him to the command office immediately.

“He was detained at the NIS cell while the Controller in charge of Lagos State Border Patrol Command contacted headquarter of NIS on the arrest,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Comptroller General, NIS, Kemi Nandap, has confirmed his arrest in a statement by the Service Public Relations Officer, SPRO, Akinsola Akinlabi, on Thursday, in Abuja.

According to the statement, the NIS Comptroller General said that the suspect had been declared wanted by the Enugu State Police Command.

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She said that Obieze, a native of Umuojor Village in Ezeagu Council Area, Enugu, and a known traditionalist, was allegedly involved in the abduction of a 13-year-old girl, on Tuesday, May 27.

“According to reports, the girl was kidnapped by three men while walking to the farm with her father.

“She was later rescued by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force from a shrine allegedly linked to the suspect. The incident was first reported by a national daily on Wednesday, May 28.

“Acting on credible intelligence, officers of the NIS Lagos State Border Patrol Command apprehended Obieze at the Gbaji checkpoint along the Badagry-Seme Road while he attempted to flee the country on a motorcycle.

“The suspect was found in possession of a National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, enrollment slip, which confirmed his identity.

“During preliminary questioning, he reportedly confessed to the crimes,” she said.

Nandap, however, said that the NIS was working closely with the Nigeria Police Force to ensure a seamless handover of the suspect for further investigation and prosecution.

She reaffirmed the service commitment to national security and border control, stating that NIS would continue to support law enforcement agencies in the fight against cross-border crimes.

Source: NAN

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This is contained in a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer, NIS, Mr Akinsola Akinlabi, on Friday in Abuja.

The NIS said that the initiative was a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS.

The service said that the new development aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and took effect from May 1, 2025.

It added that the e-Visa application system was an end-to-end online platform designed to enhance national security, streamline application processes, and eliminate visa-on-arrival arrangements.

“The new e-Visa platform introduces 13 categories under the Short Visit Visa (SVV) class. The full details are available on the official portal: https://evisa.immigration.gov.ng,”.

The NIS said that applications would be processed within 48 hours or less, and successful applicants would receive e-Visas and QR codes via their registered email addresses.

The service also announced that the Visa on Arrival policy would be discontinued from May 1, 2025, and that visas issued under that policy remained valid only until May 30, 2025.

The service said the e-Visas were non-extendable, urging applicants to apply for visas that best match the duration and purpose of their visit.

“The new policy also introduces strict overstay penalties, effective September 1, 2025 and a daily fine of $15 will apply for all overstays.

“Foreigners who overstay for three months and above will incur a $15/day fine and a five-year entry ban.

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“Also, those who overstay for one year and above will face the same fine plus permanent blacklisting from entering Nigeria.

“In addition to the e-Visa rollout, the government is replacing the manual embarkation and disembarkation forms with a fully automated landing and exit card system, available at: https://lecard.immigration.gov.ng.

“All inbound passengers, except Nigerians, are required to complete the electronic landing card online before boarding, while outbound passengers must complete the exit card before departure,” it said.

The NIS explained that the exit card system was synchronized with the Visa Processing Centre to enforce penalties, including automatic visa bans for non-compliance.

To ease the transition, it said, a three-month window period from May 1 to August 1, 2025, had been granted.

“During this period, foreigners currently residing in Nigeria with expired visas may return to their home countries without incurring any penalties.

“We urge all stakeholders to comply with the revised immigration policies and timelines.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to implementing a more efficient, transparent, and secure immigration system that aligns with global best practices,” the service said.

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The NIS gave the warning in a statement by its spokesman, Akinsola Akinlabi, on Friday in Abuja.

It stated that all recruitment exercises were conducted in a transparent, free, and merit-based manner.

Akinlabi said that vacancies were advertised through the NIS website, official government channels, and recognised national newspapers.

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“The attention of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap has been drawn to the alarming increase in fake recruitment activities being perpetrated by fraudsters.

“The NIS wishes to state that no recruitment exercise is currently ongoing. We are working closely with relevant authorities to apprehend those involved in these fraudulent activities and bring them to justice.

“The Service remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity in all its operations. Consequently, the CG urges the general public to remain vigilant and refrain from patronizing fraudulent recruitment schemes.

“Anyone who receives unsolicited messages or is approached by individuals claiming to represent the NIS on recruitment matters should report to the Nigeria Immigration Service through the following official channels:

“OfficialWebsite:www.immigration.gov.ng, X: @nigimmigration, Instagram: @nigimmigration, Facebook: @nigimmigration and Contact Center Number: 09121900655, 09121556359, 09121477092,”he said.

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The announcement was made on Tuesday in a statement issued by the Principal Staff Officer to the NIS CG, Mr Adedotun Aridegbe.

Akinlabi’s appointment, according to Aridegbe, was as a result of the posting of the former SPRO, Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI) Kenneth Udo, to Passport Control Office, Akwa Ibom State Command.

Akinlabi was described as a seasoned Immigration Officer who hails from Ibarapa Central local government area of Oyo State.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Ilorin and a Master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

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He has acquired extensive experience in various NIS Directorates, including Accounts and Finance, Protocol, Training and Staff Development, and Passport and Travel Documents.

Akinlabi has attended numerous specialised courses in Migration, Security, and Border management.

He joined the NIS on December 29, 2006, completing his Superintendent Basic Course at the Immigration Training School, Kano, in December 2007.

Before his appointment, Akinlabi served as an Immigration Attaché at Nigeria’s Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands.

Akinlabi’s appointment takes effect immediately, and he is expected to use his experience to enhance the image of the Service globally.

Source: NAN

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