society
Nigeria Scraps Visa-On-Arrival Policy Over Security Risks, Tightens Border Control
Nigeria Scraps Visa-On-Arrival Policy Over Security Risks, Tightens Border Control
In a landmark decision set to reshape Nigeria’s immigration policy, the Federal Government has announced plans to abolish the visa-on-arrival system, citing it as an “unsustainable” model and a significant security threat. The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this at the graduation ceremony of 100 officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Abuja on Friday, marking a major shift towards a data-driven approach to national security.
A Radical Overhaul of Immigration Policy
Tunji-Ojo stated unequivocally that the era of spontaneous entries into Nigeria without pre-screening is over. “We believe that it is better for us to make decisions based on objectivity rather than subjectivity. Of course, that will lead to the cancellation of the visa-on-arrival process because visa-on-arrival, we understand, is not a system that works,” he declared.
Emphasizing the need for advanced vetting mechanisms, the Minister insisted that no individual should be allowed to enter Nigeria without prior clearance. “I don’t expect you to just come to my country without me knowing you’re coming in. No, it’s never done anywhere,” he said, highlighting the critical security risks posed by the existing system.
Pre-Arrival Clearance: A New Security Benchmark
To mitigate security concerns, the government is rolling out the Advance Passenger Information (API) system, initially implemented in Nigeria’s five major international airports, to the country’s porous land borders. The new regulations will mandate real-time clearance from Interpol, criminal record databases, and other background-checking agencies before any traveler is granted entry.
“What we are looking at is that for any decision that borders on immigration into Nigeria, it will be impossible for approvals to be given without the clearance of Interpol, criminal record system, and all background-checking agencies in real-time,” Tunji-Ojo affirmed.
Aiming for 100% Security Accuracy
With an unwavering commitment to national security, the Minister stressed that any lapses in border control could have dire consequences. “When it comes to security, life will never remember us for the 99 per cent we get right. History will remember us for the 1 per cent we do wrong. And security is not a sector where you can afford to be 99.9 per cent accurate. It just has to be 100 per cent.”
The new policy is set to take effect between March 1 and April 1, 2025, as part of sweeping reforms designed to tighten border controls and enhance national security measures.
From Open Doors to Fortress Nigeria?
Nigeria’s visa-on-arrival policy was initially introduced to facilitate ease of travel for eligible foreign nationals, particularly investors and tourists, aiming to simplify entry procedures and promote economic engagement. However, growing concerns over security loopholes, terrorist infiltration, and unregulated migration have prompted a reassessment of the system.
Security analysts have long warned that allowing travelers to submit documents only upon arrival makes thorough background checks virtually impossible. The lack of pre-screening has raised red flags, with intelligence reports suggesting that some individuals exploit the policy to evade security scrutiny.
A Wake-Up Call for Immigration Officers
Speaking to the newly trained NIS officers, the Minister underscored their pivotal role in securing Nigeria’s borders. “If you sleep and a person of interest enters this country, the target might be your wife, husband, children, or even you. Implement this policy with all patriotism,” he charged.
For her part, the Comptroller-General of NIS, Kemi Nandap, linked the initiative to high-level discussions with the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism, held during the Seventh Border Management and Identity Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, from December 11-13, 2024.
The newly trained officers, she added, are now equipped with cutting-edge border security skills to enhance surveillance, intelligence collaboration, and national security.
International Collaboration for Stronger Borders
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) representative, Paola Pace, emphasized that the five-day training should mark the beginning of sustained action in fortifying Nigeria’s immigration system.
“As you return to your respective duties, I encourage you to apply the knowledge gained to enhance Nigeria’s border management, foster intelligence collaboration, and ensure API aligns with national security priorities while supporting broader migration governance,” Pace stated.
Security experts agree that these reforms are long overdue, urging the government to fully implement the measures and ensure that Nigeria’s immigration processes meet global security standards.
As the nation braces for the official phase-out of visa-on-arrival by April 1, 2025, the stakes are high. Will these stringent measures bolster national security or deter foreign investment? Time will tell, but one thing is certain—Nigeria’s immigration landscape is about to change forever.
society
Ramadan: Adron Homes Felicitates Muslims, Preaches Hope and Unity
Ramadan: Adron Homes Felicitates Muslims, Preaches Hope and Unity
Adron Homes & Properties Limited has congratulated Muslim faithful on the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan, urging Nigerians to embrace the virtues of sacrifice, discipline, and compassion that define the season.
In a statement made available to journalists, the company described Ramadan as a period of deep reflection, spiritual renewal, and strengthened devotion to faith and humanity.
According to the management, the holy month represents values that align with the organisation’s commitment to integrity, resilience, and community development.
“Ramadan is a time that teaches patience, generosity, and selflessness. As our Muslim customers and partners begin the fast, we pray that their sacrifices are accepted and that the season brings peace, joy, and renewed hope to their homes and the nation at large,” the statement read.
The firm reaffirmed its dedication to providing affordable and accessible housing solutions to Nigerians, noting that building homes goes beyond structures to creating environments where families can thrive.
Adron Homes further urged citizens to use the period to pray for national unity, economic stability, and sustainable growth.
It wished all Muslim faithful a spiritually fulfilling Ramadan.
Ramadan Mubarak.
society
Underfunding National Security: Envelope Budgeting Fails Nigeria’s Defence By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Underfunding National Security: Envelope Budgeting Fails Nigeria’s Defence
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
“Fiscal Rigidity in a Time of Crisis: Lawmakers Say Fixed Budget Ceilings Are Crippling Nigeria’s Fight Against Insurgency, Banditry, and Organized Crime.”
Nigeria’s legislature has issued a stark warning: the envelope budgeting system; a fiscal model that caps spending for ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) is inadequate to meet the country’s escalating security challenges. Lawmakers and budget analysts argue that rigid fiscal ceilings are undermining the nation’s ability to confront insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, separatist violence, oil theft and maritime insecurity.
The warning emerged during the 2026 budget defence session for the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) at the National Assembly in Abuja. Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC‑Kebbi North), chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, decried the envelope system, noting that security agencies “have been subject to the vagaries of the envelope system rather than to genuine needs and requirements.” The committee highlighted non-release or partial release of capital funds from previous budgets, which has hindered procurement, intelligence and operational capacity.
Nigeria faces a multi‑front security crisis: persistent insurgency in the North‑East, banditry and kidnappings across the North‑West and North‑Central, separatist tensions in the South‑East, and piracy affecting Niger Delta oil production. Despite declarations of a national security emergency by President Bola Tinubu, lawmakers point to a “disconnect” between rhetoric and the actual fiscal support for agencies tasked with enforcement.
Experts warn that security operations demand flexibility and rapid resource allocation. Dr. Amina Bello, a public finance specialist, said: “A static budget in a dynamic threat environment is like sending firefighters with water jugs to a forest fire. You need flexibility, not fixed ceilings, to adapt to unforeseen developments.”
The Permanent Secretary of Special Services at ONSA, Mohammed Sanusi, detailed operational consequences: irregular overhead releases, unfulfilled capital appropriations, and constrained foreign service funds. These fiscal constraints have weakened intelligence and covert units, hampering surveillance, cyber‑security, counter‑terrorism and intelligence sharing.
Delayed capital releases have stalled critical projects, including infrastructure upgrades and surveillance systems. Professor Kolawole Adeyemi, a governance expert, emphasized that “budgeting for security must allow for rapid reallocation in response to threats that move faster than political cycles. Envelope budgeting lacks this essential flexibility.”
While the National Assembly advocates fiscal discipline, lawmakers stress that security funding requires strategic responsiveness. Speaker Abbas Ibrahim underscored that security deserves “prominent and sustained attention” in the 2026 budget, balancing oversight with operational needs.
In response, the Senate committee plans to pursue reforms, including collaboration with the executive to restructure funding, explore supplementary budgets and ensure predictable and sufficient resources for security agencies. Experts warn that without reform, criminal networks will exploit these gaps, eroding public trust.
As one policy analyst summarized: “A nation declares a security emergency; but if its budget does not follow with real resources and oversight, the emergency remains rhetorical.” Nigeria’s debate over envelope budgeting is more than an accounting dispute; it is a contest over the nation’s security priorities and its commitment to safeguarding citizens.
society
Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin) Celebrates as She Marks Her Birthday
Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin) Celebrates as She Marks Her Birthday
Today, the world and the body of Christ rise in celebration of a rare vessel of honour, Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba, fondly known as Eritosin, as she marks her birthday.
Born a special child with a divine mark of grace, Rev. Mother Eritosin’s journey in God’s vineyard spans several decades of steadfast service, spiritual depth, and undeniable impact. Those who know her closely describe her as a prophetess with a heart of gold — a woman whose calling is not worn as a title, but lived daily through compassion, discipline, humility, and unwavering faith.
From her early days in ministry, she has touched lives across communities, offering spiritual guidance, prophetic insight, and motherly counsel. Many testify that through her prayers and teachings, they encountered God in a deeply personal and transformative way. Near and far, her influence continues to echo — not only within church walls, but in homes, families, and destinies reshaped through her mentorship.
A mother in every sense of the word, Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba embodies nurture and correction in equal measure. As a grandmother, she remains energetic in purpose — accommodating the wayward, embracing the rejected, and holding firmly to the belief that no soul is beyond redemption. Her life’s mission has remained consistent: to lead many to Christ and guide them into the light of a new beginning.
Deeply rooted within the C&S Unification, she stands tall as a spiritual pillar in the Cherubim and Seraphim Church globally. Her dedication to holiness, unity, and prophetic service has earned her widespread respect as a spiritual matriarch whose voice carries both authority and humility.
As she celebrates another year today, tributes continue to pour in from spiritual sons and daughters, church leaders, and admirers who see in her a living reflection of grace in action.
Prayer for Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin)
May the Almighty God, who called you from birth and anointed you for His service, continually strengthen you with divine health and renewed vigour.
May your oil never run dry, and may your prophetic mantle grow heavier with greater glory.
May the lives you have nurtured rise to call you blessed.
May your latter years be greater than the former, filled with peace, honour, and the visible rewards of your labour in God’s vineyard.
May heaven continually back your prayers, and may your light shine brighter across nations.
Happy Birthday to a true Mother in Israel — Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin).
More years.
More anointing.
More impact.
If you want this adapted for a newspaper page, church bulletin, Facebook post, or birthday flyer, just tell me the format and tone.
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