International News Archives - Page 5 of 23

UAE bans transit visas for Nigerians

July 10, 2025July 10, 2025 Aminu Imam

…Imposes stricter entry rules The United Arab Emirates, (UAE), has imposed tougher entry conditions for Nigerian travellers and banned transit visa applications entirely, travel agents confirmed on Tuesday. According to new directives from Dubai immigration, Nigerians aged 18 to 45 will no longer be eligible for tourist visas unless accompanied. For those aged 45 and above, visa applicants must present a personal six-month bank statement showing a minimum monthly balance of $10,000 (or its Naira equivalent). Travel agents said the new policy is expected to drastically reduce travel from Nigeria…

US halts long-term visas for Nigerians

July 9, 2025July 9, 2025 Aminu Imam

…Limits non-immigrant’s to 3-month validity, one-time entry The United States (US), has announced a major change to its visa policy for Nigeria, reducing the validity period and entry allowance for most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens. In a statement on Tuesday, the US embassy in Nigeria said most of the affected visas will now be limited to single-entry with a three-month validity period. The change takes immediate effect. However, the embassy said visas issued before July 8 will remain valid under their original terms. It noted that the…

Nigeria’s Digital Switchover: NBC, Broadcasters seek urgent action at Abuja Stakeholders meeting

July 9, 2025July 9, 2025 Aminu Imam

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Monday hosted key industry players in Abuja (FCT) to review the progress and lingering challenges of Nigeria’s Digital Switchover (DSO) project. The meeting, which was held at the BON Stratton Hotel, Asokoro, focused on four main areas: strategic roadmap, operational hurdles, regulatory gaps, and pathways for partnership. Stakeholders, led by Alhaji (Dr) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, Chairman of LibertyTV/Radio Group and the Board of Trustees (BoT) of Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN), called for a clearer roll-out strategy to meet revised targets. Key challenges…

Lagos: FBI pursues Yahoo Boy for defrauding U.S. President Trump of 2025 inauguration funds

July 5, 2025July 5, 2025 Aminu Imam

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has filed a civil forfeiture complaint to seize property belonging to Lagos-based fraudster Ehiremen Aigbokhan for stealing more than ₦460 million in funds meant for U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration. The FBI is also actively pursuing an arrest warrant for Aigbokhan in connection with a cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering scheme that targeted a donor intending to contribute to the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee. According to legal filings, Aigbokhan and his co-conspirators carried out a sophisticated fraudulent operation using the notorious Business Email Compromise…

UK plans visa crackdown on Nigerians, others over overstay concerns

May 7, 2025May 7, 2025 Aminu Imam

The United Kingdom (UK)is considering new immigration measures that could make it harder for citizens of Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to obtain visas, citing high rates of overstays and subsequent asylum claims. According to information, first published by The Times of Londin yesterday, the UK Home Office is preparing to introduce stricter visa policies targeting nationalities identified as having a greater likelihood of remaining in the country beyond the terms of their visas. Authorities say that a pattern of individuals arriving on work or study permits and later seeking…

S’Arabia Govt limits visas for travelers from Nigeria, 13 other countries

February 10, 2025February 10, 2025 Aminu Imam

Saudi Arabia has implemented a new visa policy that restricts visitors from Nigeria and 13 other countries to single-entry visas. The change, already in effect this February, is directed at curbing unauthorised Hajj pilgrimages and ensuring the safety of those attending the religious event. Travelers from these nations will no longer have access to the one-year multiple-entry visa for tourism, business, and family visits. According to TravelBiz, Saudi Arabia has suspended the one-year multiple-entry visa for travelers from Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan,…

Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso officially exit ECOWAS

January 30, 2025January 30, 2025 Aminu Imam

The three military-led West African nations – Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso – have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS). The regional bloc disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday. This brings to an end a year-long attempt by ECOWAS to convince the countries to reconsider leaving the bloc. The Commission, however, said it intends to “keep its door open” if any of the countries want to return to its fold. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso first announced their decision to leave ECOWAS in early…

BRICS finally admits Nigeria as partner country

January 19, 2025January 19, 2025 Aminu Imam

Brazil has officially declared Nigeria as a new partner country in the BRICS alliance, according to a statement released on Friday by the Brazilian Foreign Ministry. With this development, Nigeria becomes the ninth partner country in BRICS, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan. The ministry’s statement read: “The Brazilian government welcomes the Nigerian government’s decision. With the world’s sixth-largest population – and Africa’s largest – as well as being one of the continent’s major economies, Nigeria shares convergent interests with other members of BRICS. “It plays…

Ghana announces visa-free entry for Africans

January 4, 2025January 4, 2025 Aminu Imam

Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo yesterday announced that visa-free travel for all African passport holders will start at the start of this year, marking a step towards continental economic integration. The announcement came during his final ‘State of the Nation’ address, as he prepares to step down on January 6 after two-terms in office. In his speech to parliament, Akufo-Addo said: “I am proud to have approved visa-free travel to Ghana for all African passport holders, with effect from the beginning of this year. This is the logical next step to…

“US expanding biological warfare activity across Africa” – Russia

December 25, 2024December 25, 2024 Aminu Imam

Documents available to the Russian Ministry of Defense indicate that the United States is significantly increasing its biological warfare activities on the African continent, Deputy Chief of Russia�s Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Troops, Major General Aleksey Rtishchev, revealed yesterday. “The documents at our disposal confirm that the US biological warfare presence on the African continent is growing at a rapid pace. Research institutes of the US Department of Defense actively work in the region,” Rtishchev indicated during a briefing. He highlighted that branches of the US National Naval Medical…