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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the commencement of nationwide enforcement against foreigners who have overstayed their visas or violated immigration laws, following the expiration of the Federal Government’s visa amnesty initiative.

The amnesty programme, introduced on July 5, 2025, granted a window of opportunity for foreign nationals with expired visas or residence permits to regularize their stay in Nigeria without facing penalties.

That grace period officially closed at midnight on September 30, 2025.

Effective from October 1, the NIS said its officers will begin enforcement operations targeting categories of foreigners including holders of expired Visa on Arrival (VoA), expired single and multiple-entry short visit or business visas, as well as individuals with expired Comprehensive Expatriate Residence Permits and Automated Cards (CERPAC).

Foreign nationals found in breach of Nigeria’s immigration laws will face stiff sanctions, the NIS warned.

‘These include mandatory payment of overstay penalties, removal from the country, and in some cases, restrictions on future entry into Nigeria’, it added. The Service outlined penalties as follows: foreigners overstaying less than three months will pay $15 per day for each day overstayed and may face either removal or a two-year entry ban.

‘Those who overstay between three months and one year face the same daily fine but risk a five-year entry ban.

‘For overstays beyond one year, violators face removal and a minimum 10-year or permanent entry ban’, the Service stated.

A statement signed by Akinsola Akinlabi, Public Relations Officer of the NIS, stressed that the Service remains committed to lawful migration management.

‘The Nigeria Immigration Service is determined to safeguard national security, while ensuring transparency and efficiency in all immigration processes,’ it noted.

The Service called on all foreign nationals resident in Nigeria to comply with immigration rules and warned that enforcement will be comprehensive and uncompromising across the country.

The New board of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has pledged to reposition the agency for the task of rebuilding damaged ecosystems, restoring public confidence and preserving the environment in the affected communities.

The board made this pledge at its inaugural meeting in Abuja recently. The meeting, which was attended by the management of NOSDRA, marked a significant milestone in the agency’s efforts to reposition itself for improved performance, regulatory efficiency, and environmental protection.

The board, reconstituted by President Bola Tinubu, is expected to provide oversight and leadership as NOSDRA works to strengthen its capacity to manage oil spill incidents and enforce environmental regulations across the country. Edward Omo-Erewa, chairman of the NOSDRA board, who presided over the meeting, said the new board would focus on restoring public trust in the agency, improving internal governance, and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders.

‘We recognize the critical role NOSDRA plays in safeguarding Nigeria’s environment and the health of its people. This board will work to restore public confidence, rebuild damaged ecosystems, and ensure a culture of compliance and transparency,’ the chairman said.

He outlined the board’s three strategic priorities, including strengthening communication and governance within the agency, implementing the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan, and rebuilding public trust through stakeholder engagement. Omo-Erewa urged board members to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, adding that the board was committed to repositioning NOSDRA in line with its Establishment Act of 2006.

Chukwuemeka Woke, Director General of NOSDRA, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to working in close partnership with the newly appointed board members.

He emphasized that their collaboration would be key to enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening regulatory enforcement, and building upon the agency’s previous achievements

‘We are prepared to engage with the board in a robust and transparent manner to ensure the agency delivers on its mandate,’ Woke said, urging urged all staff members to remain diligent and focused in carrying out their responsibilities, emphasizing that their collective efforts are essential to building a stronger and more effective agency. Woke also thanked President Tinubu for what he described as a timely and strategic move in reconstituting the board, stating that the agency was eager to work with the new Board to achieve greater results.

The Federal Government has moved to contain the fallout of a mine pit collapse in Jabaka Village, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, which claimed the lives of at least 13 itinerant miners.

The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development confirmed that federal mine officers were deployed immediately to lead rescue operations following the collapse, which was triggered by heavy rainfall and worsened by the activities of illegal miners. Two more miners remain trapped, with efforts underway to recover them.

Dele Alake, minister of Solid Minerals Development, described the incident as ‘avoidable and unfortunate,’ stressing that the site would be sealed after the ongoing rescue operations.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the mine sits on loose, gold-bearing sand, exploited by illegal miners using rudimentary tools and unsafe methods.

Alake linked the tragedy to the broader challenge of illegal mining, which has plagued Zamfara and other parts of the country.

He noted that since the deployment of the Mining Marshals over a year ago, over 300 illegal miners have been arrested across 10 states and the FCT, while 98 illegal sites have been shut down. ‘Despite our vast land mass, we remain undaunted. With satellite surveillance and other enforcement measures underway, we aim to drastically reduce mine collapses across the country and tighten the noose around sponsors of illegal mining,’ Alake said.

The Minister disclosed that the government is investing in satellite surveillance systems to enable real-time monitoring of mining activities nationwide.

The move is expected to strengthen oversight, deter illegal operations, and enhance proactive responses to emergencies.

Zamfara remains a focal point in Nigeria’s mining sector due to its rich deposits of gold and history of insecurity.

Following military clearance operations coordinated by the National Security Adviser, the Federal Government lifted the ban on exploration in December 2024, paving the way for regulated mining activities.

The latest tragedy underscores the urgency of ongoing reforms as the Tinubu administration seeks to sanitize the solid minerals sector, reduce mining-related fatalities, and restore investor confidence in the industry.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has continued operating despite a nationwide strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which has disrupted logistics and heightened tensions in the oil sector, company and trade sources confirmed on Tuesday.

Initial reports suggested that the entrance to the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility in Lagos was blocked by striking workers, but refinery operations have not been fully halted. The industrial action, which began on Sunday, is already attracting the attention of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), PENGASSAN’s parent body, raising fears of broader solidarity protests that could worsen pressure on the refinery’s operations.

A mediation meeting convened on Monday to resolve the standoff ended in deadlock after more than nine hours of deliberations.

The talks, chaired by labour minister Muhammad Dingyadi, brought together leaders of PENGASSAN, representatives of Dangote Refinery, the finance ministry, and top officials of both the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. Festus Osifo, PENGASSAN’s president, said negotiations failed because Dangote management refused to reinstate 800 workers whose dismissal sparked the dispute.

He said the union would continue its action until those workers were reinstated.

‘Our position has been very clear; you have to reinstate these people. If you reinstate them tonight, we will call off our action tonight but unfortunately, that reinstatement did not happen. And we were not able to reach conclusions on the subject,’ Osifo told journalists after the meeting. The meeting continues today, according to reports. But for now, Dangote Refinery appears largely unshaken, with operations ongoing despite the union’s threats and the unresolved conflict.

Oliver Alawuba, group managing director/Chief Executive Officer, UBA Plc has disclosed that the bank is out of any form of forbearance loans.

Forbearance is a temporary arrangement, typically with a lender, to lower or suspend loan payments for a set period due to financial hardship, allowing the borrower to resume payments once his financial situation improves.

The CBN in June directed banks to temporarily suspend the payment of dividends to shareholders, defer the payment of bonuses to directors and senior management staff. The apex bank also asked banks to refrain from making investments in foreign subsidiaries or embarking on new offshore ventures.

‘There is no forbearance loan in UBA books. CBN has already approved the payment of dividend which will be paid in next couple of days,’ the CEO said on Tuesday during the bank’s investor conference call. UBA said that some of the write-off for forbearance were taken off before H1’25 and finally erased in H1, which made it have less impact on its profitability. The CBN justifies the measures as necessary to strengthen capital buffers, enhance balance sheet resilience, and ensure prudent internal capital retention during this transitional period. The apex bank noted that suspension will remain in effect until banks fully exit regulatory forbearance and demonstrate compliance with capital adequacy and provisioning standards through independent verification.

Alawuba, who led the bank’s excos in responding to questions from participants at the conference further said, ‘It is important to note that UBA tries to ensure that we remain competitive on the total dividend yield for the year.’

The bank CEO noted that the CBN has also approved its dividend payment for the half year (H1). The Africa’s global bank recently released its financial performance for the half-year (H1) ended June 30, 2025, posting a N335 billion in profit after tax (PAT). The audited financials released to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) showed a remarkable growth across its major business segments, driven by strong earnings.

The bank recorded significant growth in its gross earnings and profit after tax, signalling robust balance sheet expansion.

Speaking on the capital raising and its deployment, he said, ‘the second round of the right issue was very attractive,’ adding that they bank is waiting for regulatory approval for the capital raise.

The bank had raised N234billion in its first capital raise. It just concluded the second capital raise -rights issue of N154billion, which it hopeful of raising as it awaits regulatory approvals.

He’s optimistic that the price of the shares of UBA will reroute north after the rights issue. The bank used the opportunity to disclose its revised growth guidance which include: deposit (20 percent), and loan (10 percent). Alawuba also noted that UBA committed to building Africa’s global bank.

At the end of the first two quarters of the year, and despite the tough global macroeconomic climate in Nigeria and major countries in Africa where the bank operates, UBA’s gross earnings grew by 17.28 percent, rising from N1.371 trillion in June 2024 to N1.608 trillion in the period under review.

Interest income also increased by 32.89 percent from N1.003 trillion in June last year to N1.334 trillion, while total assets went up by 9.71 percent to N33.3 trillion up from N30.3 trillion recorded in December 2024. Total Customer deposits also leapt by 11.9 percent in the same period to close at N27.6 trillion up from N24.6 trillion recorded at the end of 2024.

The results also showed that profit after tax which stood at N316.36 billion in June 2024, rose by 6.06 percent to close the half year at N335.53 billion, while profit before tax dropped slightly from N401 billion to N388 billion in the period under consideration. However, the banks’ shareholders’ funds remained strong as it increased by 23 percent from N3.41 trillion in December 2024, to N4.22 trillion in June 2025.

Anambra state’s ambition to train one million young people in digital skills has received global validation, with its flagship Solution Innovation District (SID) named among the top three winners at the Inspiring Solutions Awards 2025 during the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) World Conference in Beijing.

The recognition, announced at the conference’s gala dinner, specifically highlighted the Anambra Digital Tribe initiative as a transformational, inspiring, and impactful blueprint for building a sustainable, homegrown innovation economy.

Chinwe Okoli, special adviser to Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, on innovation and business incubation, represented the state at both the Triple Helix Association and CASSSP Innovation Summit and the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) 42nd World Conference held in Beijing, China, this September. Okoli’s presentation, ‘The Anambra Story – From Theory to Transformation,’ detailed how Soludo’s vision is being executed through the Triple Helix model, strategically aligning government, academia, and industry.

She showcased the SID as a practical, homegrown application of global best practices, already delivering impressive outcomes, which include 80,000+ citizens trained in various digital skills, building a future-proof workforce and talent for technology development; dozens of new startups launched, catalysing a new creative and digital economy and over $2 million in ecosystem investment secured, demonstrating early international investment confidence. Building on this momentum at the 42nd IASP World Conference, Okoli delivered a presentation titled ‘Bridging Continents Through Innovation: SID and the Power of International Collaboration.’ She detailed Soludo’s strategy of using the SID as a gateway for global partnerships, emphasising that tackling Africa’s digital growth and youth unemployment requires cross-border cooperation.

The IASP Inspiring Solutions Award, announced during the conference’s gala dinner, specifically recognised the Anambra Digital Tribe and its ambitious goal to train one million youths, celebrating it as a transformational, inspiring, and impactful blueprint for building a sustainable, homegrown innovation economy. ‘This award is a powerful testament to Soludo’s foresight and firm commitment. His strategic investments in technology infrastructure and youth empowerment have proven that emerging economies can not only participate in but excel on the global innovation stage. Our message in Beijing was clear: Anambra is building global bridges for talent, technology, and capital, and this award confirms that the world is taking notice. Anambra is open for business and ripe for strategic investment,’ Okoli stated.

The presentations in Beijing highlighted key investor-friendly attributes of the Anambra ecosystem, driven by the governor’s policies including a clear, government-backed vision, proven partnerships with Meta, Microsoft, Connekt Broadband, Circum Technologies etc signposting opportunity for future partners and the one million Anambra Digital Tribe initiative directly addresses the talent needs of the global digital economy, creating a deep pool of skilled developers, creatives, and tech entrepreneurs.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has introduced its One-Stop-Shop (OSS), a project expected to reduce cargo clearance time to 48 hours.

The unveiling happened in Abuja, where Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller General of Customs, met with senior officers to discuss the Service’s modernisation agenda.

‘The OSS initiative will not only shorten clearance time from 21 days to 48 hours, but it will also strengthen trader confidence, restore transparency, and make our operations more business-friendly,’ the CGC said.

He said that under the OSS framework, all Customs Units will work jointly on flagged declarations, eliminating multiple checks and reducing delays. Consignments cleared under the OSS will not be subject to re-interception. Adeniyi said the project is in line with global best practices and the federal government’s Ease of Doing Business policy. He stressed that the reform is designed to ‘sanitise operations, reduce duplication of efforts, and ensure predictability in Customs procedures.’

The meeting included discussions about the Service’s accountability framework, including a new central dashboard that tracks clearance times, interventions, and stakeholder satisfaction.

Adeniyi assured the Customs Area Controllers that the reform would be piloted at Apapa, Tin Can Island, and Onne Ports before being rolled out nationwide, adding that the initiative is fully supported by the NCS Act 2023 and aligned with the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

Medical experts have warned that poor physical activity, climate change, and unhealthy diets are driving the growing heart-related problems in Nigeria.

As Nigeria joined the world to commemorate World Heart Day 2025, themed ‘Don’t Miss a Beat,’ the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) emphasised the need for stronger awareness campaigns, healthier lifestyle choices, and policy reforms to curb the rising tide of cardiovascular diseases.

Akin Osibogun, chairman, World Heart Day 2025, NHF, said that hypertension cases in the country have soared from less than 10 percent in 1990 to between 35 and 40 percent today, making it one of the fastest-growing health challenges nationwide, noting that cardiovascular diseases kill more than 20 million people globally every year, and the numbers are rising in Nigeria.

Osibogun warned that without urgent lifestyle changes and stronger public health policies, the burden of cardiovascular diseases will continue to rise. He added that poor physical activity, unhealthy diets, especially excessive salt and fried foods, obesity, and environmental pollution are driving this surge.

‘The food we eat, the amount of salt in our diet, and our tendency to sit rather than move are fueling hypertension and obesity, which in turn affect the health of our hearts,’ Osibogun said.

Speaking on environmental issues, he added that clean air, green spaces, and safe places to exercise are as critical to heart health as medicine.

‘Beyond lifestyle, environmental pollution and climate change are worsening the risk of heart disease. Clean air and safe spaces for exercise are as important as medical care.

‘Communities without parks, playgrounds, or green spaces deny people the chance to stay active and protect their hearts,’ Osibogun said.

Olugbenga Ogunmoyela, president/CEO, Consumer Advocacy for Food Safety and Nutrition Initiative (CAFSANI), reiterated that unhealthy diets, especially excessive salt intake and fried foods, are major contributors to the rising cases of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

‘We must encourage Nigerians to eat more fruits, vegetables, and healthy meals while cutting down on salt, sugar, and processed foods,’ Ogunmoyela said, adding that hydration is equally important, drinking enough water daily helps the heart work more efficiently. ‘The salt content in many of the foods we consume is far above recommended levels, and this is fueling hypertension and related heart problems.

‘We must go back to natural diets and reduce our dependence on processed foods, fried meals, and unhealthy oils,’ he said.

Ogunmoyela also stated that food manufacturers and vendors have a role to play by reducing salt and unhealthy fats in their products, noting that public education on diet is critical because many people are unaware of how much salt they are consuming daily.

Dolapo Koker, member, Nutrition Committee of NHF, warned against the increasing consumption of energy drinks by artisans and young workers, calling it a dangerous habit.

‘It is not good for their health because it kind of addicts them to it,’ she said, noting that most of those energy drinks have very high levels of caffeine, and it overstimulates the heart and puts it into hyperdrive, making it a risk factor.

Beyond healthcare delivery, experts called for policies that make communities healthier and safer, and urged the government to take decisive action.

‘We must build primary health care systems that integrate hypertension screening and treatment in all local government areas; essential drugs for related conditions must be made both available and affordable at the community level.

‘Policy makers must create safer environments, clean air, green spaces, walkways, and playgrounds, so people can exercise and live healthier lives,’ Osibogun said. To mark the 25th anniversary of World Heart Day, the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) also rolled out a series of awareness and fitness campaigns under the global theme ‘Don’t Miss a Beat,’ such as the 25 minutes for 25 days’ challenge, which encourages employees to take short daily exercise breaks in October.

According to Edirin Metseagharun, founder of Passion for Healthy Kids Initiative (PHKI), explained that students will take part in short physical activities and quizzes to encourage healthy habits.

‘Sitting is now like the new smoking, and we don’t want any child to be affected.

‘Even if it’s 15 minutes, whether they are skipping, dancing, or moving in any form, whatever keeps the heart rate rising is what we are proposing to them,’ Metseagharun said.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board has approved a fare of ?8,244,813.67 for the 2026 Hajj exercise.

A statement by Muhammad Aliyu, Board’s Public Relations Officer issued on Monday in Abuja indicated Kadiri Edah, the Director of the Board, had urged intending pilgrims to complete their payments on or before December 2025 to secure a slot for the pilgrimage.

He added that pilgrims might begin with deposits but must ensure full payment by the deadline, emphasising that all transactions must be made through bank drafts only, as cash payments will not be accepted.

Edah explained that early payments would enable the Board to compile the final list of pilgrims and remit funds to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on time. The Board also asked individuals who had overpaid to forward their account details for refunds, which will only be processed via direct bank transfers.

‘Additionally, pilgrims who have completed payment are advised to submit their international passports and application forms to their Area Officers to facilitate processing of travel documents’, he said.

Edah reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to providing services to the FCT contingent during the 2026 Hajj exercise.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has donated ?26 million in educational support for children affected by conflict in Plateau State, marking a major intervention in the region’s long-running humanitarian crisis.

Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs at ECOWAS, announced the donation on Monday during the launch of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Dialogue at a two-day workshop in Jos.

The workshop, organised through a collaboration between the ECOWAS Commission, GIZ, the European Union’s Support Programme for African Peace and Security, attracted the Child Protection Network, PLACEMA and the Press Research and Development Institute, among others

Ugbe said in addition to the education fund, ECOWAS also committed ?56 million worth of food and essential non-food items to displaced families across affected communities. According to the director, the gesture was more than charity-it was a ‘powerful affirmation’ of solidarity with children, families, and communities who continue to suffer the effects of prolonged conflict.

‘This is not just another talking workshop, as ECOWAS, we are demonstrating solidarity through action:26 million Naira in educational assistance to children affected by conflict in Plateau.

‘This is not charity – it is an affirmation. It says to every child in Plateau State: You are seen. You are valued. You are not alone. ‘This dialogue – as you are aware – is anchored on the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus. It is an integrated approach that seeks to support women and children in communities affected by conflict. These are the voices too often silenced, the lives most disrupted by violence – yet they are at the very heartbeat of our communities.

‘This collaboration brings together the ECOWAS Commission, GIZ, the European Union’s Support Programme for African Peace and Security, the Plateau State Government, and many of the agencies represented here today. It is a shining example of how the HDP nexus works in practice,’ she said.

Ugbe described the HDP Dialogue as a movement that places women and children at the centre of recovery and peacebuilding. Julie Sandra, the Director, Plateau State Peace Building Agency (PPBA), highlighted the findings from recent assessments, which revealed that over 30,000 people have been displaced in Plateau State, many of them children facing exploitation, trauma, and lack of access to education and healthcare.

According to Sandra, 72% of displaced children have experienced violent attacks, while 55% have endured prolonged school closures.

Samuel Jatau, the Secretary to the Government of Plateau State (SGS), represented by Timothy Gayi, permanent secretary, policies and general services reaffirmed government commitment to aligning relief efforts with the administration’s first policy pillar-Peace and Security.

He emphasised that sustainable peace requires access to livelihoods, social protection, and resilience-building, not just emergency aid.