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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed that 455 foreign nationals voluntarily exited the country, while 142 others regularised their stay under the federal government’s post-amnesty exercise.

This comes as the Service begins a nationwide crackdown on foreigners who failed to take advantage of the visa amnesty window to renew or legalise their residency status, in line with government efforts to strengthen migration management and national security.

Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, D.N. Olanrewaju, disclosed the figures on Tuesday during a Stakeholders’ Sensitisation on Expatriate Quota Reform, New Visa Regime, and Post-Amnesty Programme held in Abuja.

He said a total of 3,500 foreign nationals with expired visas had approached the Service during the five-month amnesty window to either regularise their stay or voluntarily leave the country.

‘Out of the 3,500 individuals who presented themselves for the process, 597 completed registration, with 455 opting to voluntarily exit Nigeria and 142 successfully regularising their immigration status,’ Olanrewaju said.

He explained that the federal government had provided a five-month grace period, from May 1 to September 30, allowing visa violators to either regularise their documents or exit the country without penalty.

‘Despite the generous window and widespread publicity, a significant number of visa overstayers remain non-compliant.

‘The enforcement phase has commenced. It requires discipline, commitment, and uniform action,’ Olanrewaju added.

The visa amnesty programme, announced earlier this year, formed part of immigration reform initiative to modernise visa management, streamline expatriate quota processes, and enhance national security.

In June 2025, the federal government launched plans for an online immigration amnesty portal to enable foreigners who had overstayed their visas to legalise their status before penalties took effect on August 1.

However, the deadline was later extended to October 1 to allow more applicants to participate.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Interior Minister, had earlier warned that once the amnesty period ended, enforcement would be total.

‘Once the amnesty period is over, we will implement the law 100 per cent, and of course, there will be a penalty for overstaying in Nigeria,’ he said, urging members of the diplomatic corps to encourage their nationals to take advantage of the programme.

The reform, first unveiled in April, introduced a $15 daily surcharge for each day a visitor remains in the country beyond the authorised date in their passport.

However, the government granted a three-month moratorium, valid until July 31, to allow defaulters to regularise without penalty.

Following the expiration of the amnesty period, the NIS has now launched the Post-Amnesty Voluntary Return and Documentation Programme, which began on October 13, 2025.

The initiative gives foreigners who missed the amnesty window another opportunity to come forward voluntarily before facing sanctions. ‘This new phase allows those who missed the amnesty to document themselves and explain why they couldn’t regularise earlier.

‘Genuine cases will be treated on merit, but others will be required to pay penalties or exit the country. The idea is to ensure compliance while preventing unnecessary entry bans,’ Olanrewaju explained.

He also cautioned employers and sponsors of expatriates against harbouring or aiding irregular migrants, noting that such acts constitute offences under the Immigration Act.

He said immigration officers at all exit points have been directed to verify travellers’ entry and residence permit details and confirm whether they benefited from the amnesty before departure.

Kemi Nandap, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, described the visa amnesty as a deliberate policy of the federal government to assist irregular migrants in regularising their stay or leaving the country without penalties.

‘The Post-Amnesty Voluntary Return and Documentation Programme follows a five-month Amnesty window from May 1 to September 30, 2025.

‘It was a deliberate magnanimous policy of the federal government for migrants with irregular immigration status in Nigeria to either regularise their stay or leave the country without encumbrances’, Nandap said.

She explained that the programme, introduced under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, is part of broader reforms to improve border governance and migration management.

‘These include the new visa regime, the introduction of electronic residence and work permits (e-CERPAC and e-TWP), and the rollout of digital landing and exit cards for real-time verification and tracking’, she added.

According to Nandap, the ongoing Expatriate Quota Reform seeks to automate and speed up the approval process for foreign workers while ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s labour laws.

‘The reform re-engineers the expatriate monitoring process, eliminating waiting times for regularisation and enhancing accountability,’ she said. She noted that the sensitisation forum was organised to provide accurate information to employers, companies, and other stakeholders hosting foreign nationals.

‘We want every organisation to understand visa validity periods, documentation requirements, and penalties for overstay. We are committed to building a more efficient, secure, and traveller-friendly immigration system that enhances national security and supports economic growth,’ Nandap added.

Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), commended the government for its balanced approach to migration control, describing the amnesty and post-amnesty initiatives as ‘restorative, not punitive.’

‘This initiative offers foreign nationals who may have fallen out of compliance with immigration regulations a lawful path to regularisation while reinforcing Nigeria’s sovereignty and adherence to the rule of law,’ Oyerinde said.

The Senate, on Wednesday, resolved to include the long-neglected Anyigba-Dekina-Shintaku Road in Kogi East among projects to be funded under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Isah Jibrin (Kogi East), who drew the attention of lawmakers to the strategic importance of the road and its current deplorable condition.

Presenting the motion, Senator Jibrin described the road as ‘a vital transport artery’ linking communities in Kogi East to Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and the Southeast and South-South regions.

‘The Anyigba-Dekina-Shintaku road is not just a route; it is an economic lifeline for thousands of commuters and businesses,’ Jibrin said.

‘Unfortunately, this federal road has deteriorated so badly that motorists now abandon it for the much longer Lokoja-Ajaokuta-Anyigba route.’

The lawmaker lamented that what was once a 40-minute journey in the 1980s now takes over four hours due to the road’s terrible condition.

He recalled that the Federal Executive Council (FEC), at its meeting of January 26, 2022, approved the reconstruction of the road, following which the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing awarded the contract to Tech Engineering Company Nigeria Limited on February 3, 2022.

‘Regrettably, the contract was revoked recently due to the contractor’s delays in execution, and no re-award has been made since,’ he told the Senate.

Jibrin, however, expressed optimism that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, an intervention mechanism designed to finance key projects through innovative financing models, offered a lifeline for the long-abandoned project.

‘The Federal Government’s creative use of special funding windows such as the Sukuk bond has shown that alternative financing can deliver results where traditional budgetary allocations have failed,’ he argued.

‘The same model can ensure the completion of the Anyigba-Dekina-Shintaku road.’

Following deliberations, the Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Works to explore the use of a special purpose fund for the completion of the road.

It also recommended the establishment of toll gates at both ends upon completion to ‘generate revenues to defray construction costs and ensure sustainable maintenance.’ Contributing to the debate, Tahir Monguno, the Senate Whip, who also serves as Deputy Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, proposed the inclusion of the Anyigba-Dekina-Shintaku road in the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund project list of President Tinubu’s administration, a suggestion that received unanimous approval from senators present.

‘This is a project that fits squarely within the Renewed Hope agenda,’ Monguno said.

‘It speaks to the government’s commitment to reconnect neglected communities, boost economic activities, and ensure that no part of Nigeria is left behind.’

Turkish champions Galatasaray have congratulated Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen for his remarkable hat-trick in Nigeria’s 4-0 victory over Benin Republic, which sealed the Super Eagles’ place in the CAF play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Osimhen produced a world-class display in Uyo, leading from the front with three brilliantly taken goals.

The Galatasaray forward opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, capitalising on a defensive error to fire Nigeria ahead.

He doubled the lead before halftime with a towering header from Samuel Chukwueze’s cross, completed his treble early in the second half, nodding in Moses Simon’s delivery to put the result beyond doubt.

Substitute Frank Onyeka added a fourth in stoppage time to seal the victory. Celebrating his performance, Galatasaray posted a congratulatory message on their official social media accounts.

‘We celebrate Victor Osimhen, who scored a hat-trick with 3 goals against Benin in the CAF Qualifiers for Group C of the 2026 World Cup and made a significant contribution to his country, Nigeria, qualifying for the play-off. Congratulations, Victor Osimhen.’

The 26-year-old’s heroics ensured Nigeria finished second in Group C with 17 points, just one behind South Africa, and advanced to the CAF play-offs, where four teams will battle for one remaining continental slot in the intercontinental play-offs.

Also, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle was full of praise for his star forward, describing him as the best striker.

‘I am very happy for my players, but Osimhen is simply the best striker in the world. He made the difference. Now we go to Morocco, it’s going to be very difficult, but I’m proud of everyone.’

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has sought to unify the region’s fight against corruption with the adoption of new guidelines on cross-border investigations, asset tracing, recovery, and management.

The initiative, endorsed at the 2025 Annual General Assembly of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) in Abuja, aims to strengthen collaboration among member states and create a harmonised framework for tackling economic and financial crimes across the subregion.

A communiqué issued on Wednesday, during the 7th Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the network in Abuja, urged all ECOWAS countries to integrate the guidelines into their national frameworks for unified implementation.

According to the resolution, member institutions reaffirmed their dedication to the 2001 ECOWAS Protocol on the Fight against Corruption, the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC).

The Assembly also emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in asset recovery, mutual legal assistance, and information exchange.

It encouraged anti-corruption agencies to strengthen collaboration with national financial intelligence units, law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations (CSOs), youth groups, and media networks to enhance advocacy and public engagement in the anti-corruption drive. Member institutions were also urged to domesticate and operationalise the ECOWAS Protocol within their national legal systems to align with regional commitments. The communiqué also announced the re-election of Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as President of NACIWA for another three-year term.

His re-election, achieved through a consensus decision of member institutions, renewed the mandates of the Executive Committee members who had just completed their first tenure.

Olukoyede was commended for his ‘remarkable leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to combating trans-border economic and financial crimes’ across the subregion.

Nigeria has continued to strengthen its international economic leadership, with the country set to assume the chairmanship of the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four (G-24) on November 1, 2025.

The announcement followed high-level engagements led by Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of State for Finance, at the ongoing IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington D.C.

The G-24, which brings together emerging and developing countries to coordinate positions on global monetary and financial issues, serves as a vital platform for promoting inclusive growth and fair representation within the international financial system.

Nigeria will take over from Argentina as chair, marking a renewed era of leadership for Africa’s largest economy in multilateral economic dialogue. Speaking at the meeting, Cardoso disclosed that Nigeria’s trade surplus has risen to 6 percent of GDP, reflecting the impact of sustained macroeconomic reforms and improved investor confidence. He emphasized that Nigeria’s policy direction under the Tinubu administration has focused on restoring discipline, transparency, and credibility in monetary and fiscal management.

‘Our focus remains on ensuring that Nigeria’s reforms translate into real growth for our people. Stability is not just a policy goal, it is the foundation for lasting progress,’ Cardoso said.

On Nigeria’s assumption of the G-24 chairmanship, the CBN Governor, speaking on behalf of Wale Edun, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening collaboration among member countries and advancing policies that promote inclusive and sustainable growth.

‘We are determined to ensure that the G-24 continues to be a strong platform for representing the shared interests of emerging and developing economies. Our focus will be on sustaining momentum in areas that matter most to our members, growth, equity, and global stability,’ he added.

The Senate on Wednesday ordered a comprehensive investigation into Nigeria’s aviation sector following a series of disturbing air incidents that have raised fresh concerns over passenger safety and regulatory oversight.

Lawmakers unanimously resolved to empower the Senate Committee on Aviation to probe the root causes of the frequent runway accidents and safety lapses plaguing the industry.

The committee is expected to engage key aviation agencies and submit its findings within four weeks.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), who cited the recent Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) report on the June 22, 2025, Air Peace runway overrun at the Port Harcourt International Airport.

Though no lives were lost, Buhari said the findings revealed ‘critical gaps in safety standards, infrastructure management, and operational compliance,’ warning that such systemic failures could have catastrophic consequences if left unaddressed.

‘Aviation safety is not negotiable. The NSIB report shows systemic failures that must be urgently fixed to safeguard lives and restore confidence in our airports,’ he declared.

Buhari expressed alarm that no fewer than seven runway-related incidents had been recorded in 2025 alone, calling for immediate enforcement of NSIB’s safety recommendations and stricter monitoring by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

In a shocking revelation, Orji Uzor Kalu, former Abia State governor and ex-airline owner, alleged that some pilots operate flights under the influence of drugs.

‘Some of them smoke Indian hemp like cigarettes,’ Kalu claimed, urging regulators to conduct spot drug tests and routine health checks on flight crews. He accused aviation authorities of negligence, saying: ‘Nobody checks their blood pressure or drug levels before they fly. I have seen pilots I told to go home because they were not normal that day.’

Kalu also lamented the poor condition of runways across Nigerian airports, describing them as unsafe and riddled with potholes.

‘The runways must undergo quarterly maintenance. When they are neglected, pilots are forced to dodge potholes mid-landing. That is unacceptable,’ he added.

Several lawmakers, including Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) and Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), supported the motion but cautioned against sensationalism that could heighten public fear.

Goje said, ‘Aviation is a matter of life and death. The committee must do a thorough oversight and ensure compliance with global safety standards. This is not something to treat lightly.’ The Senate also adopted an additional prayer urging the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to fast-track the construction of a second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to ease congestion and enhance operational safety.

Jibrin Barau, the Deputy Senate President, who presided over the session, described the motion as ‘timely and crucial,’ emphasising that the nation’s aviation sector ‘cannot be handled with levity.’

He commended the Committee on Aviation, led by Buhari, for its diligence and tasked it to ‘do a thorough job that will restore safety, sanity, and public confidence in Nigeria’s airspace.’

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has expressed delight after Nigeria secured a place in the CAF play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be staged in Morocco next month.

The Super Eagles produced their best performance of the qualifying campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday. The result confirmed Nigeria’s place in the continental play-off tournament, which precedes the Intercontinental Play-offs set for Mexico in March 2026.

‘We are quite happy to have that opportunity. It’s a long route, but it’s a route nonetheless,’ Troost-Ekong said after the match.

‘We would have loved to get the automatic ticket, but it didn’t happen, so we take what we have. We’ll stay strong, tough, and ready to confront every challenge on our way to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.’ Reflecting on the team’s performance, the PAOK defender praised the collective effort that delivered Nigeria’s emphatic win.

‘It was a wonderful team effort on Tuesday evening. Everyone contributed; each person played their part. If the other match had gone our way, we would already have the automatic ticket. But that’s football, you take what you get and make the best of it.’

Nigeria will now face Gabon in the CAF Play-off semi-finals on November 13, 2025, while Cameroon battle the Democratic Republic of Congo the following day.

The winners of both ties will meet in the final on November 16, with the victor advancing to the Intercontinental Play-offs in Mexico next March.

At the Intercontinental stage, six teams, Africa’s representative, Bolivia, New Caledonia, the Asian play-off winner (Iraq or UAE), and two sides from Central America (Jamaica, Costa Rica, or Panama), will compete for two available slots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Umo Eno of the governor Akwa Ibom State is restoring order in Uyo’s Tropicana layout, revoking illegal land entitlements and reinstating the area’s original master plan.

Eno announces this while answering questions from reporters warning people against encroachment or acquisition of government land for any personal purpose.

‘Even though the land has not been put to use for years, there has been so much of encroachment. That is why I came in here and revoked every title and activity that was happening here different from the original master plan,’ he stated. He disclosed that his vision to create a world-class tourism hub in the State, is the major reason that he decided to further the building of the hitherto abandoned 5,000-seat capacity Ibom International Convention Centre and the 200-bedroom Ibom International Hotel, while also initiating the Ibom International Shopping City to complete the ecosystem.

‘We are trying to create a tourism ecosystem for the State. And, we have been blessed by previous administrations to have laid this foundation, and we are building on this to better our State,’ he stressed.

According to Governor Eno, ‘We are trying to ensure that we revive tourism. That is the hallmark for our State. We have all the infrastructure to become the best tourist destination in this country, and we are building on it. That is our strong point.’ He explained that ‘whether this is in Uyo, Ikot Abasi, Ikot Ekpene or Oron, we will build all our tourism potentials and assets; whether it is culture and heritage, medical, agriculture, or aviation. We are going to put them together into a tourism Master plan that will help our State.’

He noted that the addition of the ARISE Shopping City to the area is to create a hub for tourists, which means here they can attend their event, have a place to lodge, do their shopping and access recreational facilities at one spot. ‘We need a Shopping City with international brands where tourists would come here and can stroll in to have their leisure, vacation, and recreational comfort.

‘So, instead of going to all those big places where tickets are very expensive, you can get them all here,

same quality, same top brands. That is what the ARISE Shopping City connotes,’ he said.

The Governor disclosed that the proposed ARISE Shopping City has a 12-month timeline for completion, adding that with the State’s quality road network and peaceful ambience, it was about to experience a huge boost in its tourism investment and traffic when the state-of-the-art hospitality, recreational, and shopping city infrastructures are completed.

‘It is against this backdrop that we are building on. We will not allow anyone, no matter how highly placed, to disrupt the peace and harmony of Akwa Ibom State,’ he emphasized.

The Senate on Wednesday debated a Bill seeking to create a legal framework that would allow small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access quicker financing by converting unpaid invoices into immediate cash.

Sponsoring the legislation titled ‘Factoring Regulation Bill, 2024,’ Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong said the proposal is aimed at tackling one of the most persistent challenges facing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), delayed payments.

He noted that across the country, MSMEs frequently deliver goods or services but often wait up to 90 days to be paid, a delay that hampers their ability to pay workers, restock materials, or scale up operations.

‘This cycle of weak cash flow not only traps small businesses but also slows down our economy’s overall growth,’ Ekpenyong said.

Describing the Bill as a structural reform to unlock working capital for more than 40 million small businesses that power the Nigerian economy, the senator explained that factoring the practice of selling verified invoices to a licensed financial institution at a small discount in exchange for immediate cash offers a proven solution to chronic liquidity challenges.

‘Unlike a bank loan that depends on collateral, factoring is based on the buyer’s creditworthiness and the validity of the invoice,’ he said.

‘This allows businesses to access financing on the strength of their sales, not their fixed assets.’

Ekpenyong explained that the Bill provides a robust regulatory framework under the supervision of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), ensuring that only licensed operators can participate in factoring. It also requires full disclosure of fees and charges to protect MSMEs from exploitation.

The proposed law would make invoice transfers legally enforceable, align with ongoing digital reforms such as e-invoicing and receivables registries, and strengthen verification systems to reduce fraud. According to the senator, the legislation would also encourage large corporations and government agencies to implement supplier-financing schemes that enable smaller firms to receive early payments at minimal cost.

Citing global examples, Ekpenyong noted that countries such as Mexico, India, Chile, Brazil, and South Africa had successfully used similar frameworks to unlock billions of dollars in working capital for SMEs and strengthen local value chains. He expressed confidence that, with proper implementation, Nigeria could attract over $1 billion annually through factoring to boost production, job creation, and investor confidence.

‘This is not another short-term credit scheme,’ Ekpenyong stressed.

‘It is a structural reform that converts invoices MSMEs already hold into usable capital.’

The Bill, first introduced on June 11, 2024, also mandates periodic reporting on transaction volumes, default rates, and MSME participation. It further promotes financial literacy by requiring the use of simplified contracts and standard term sheets.

After extensive debate, the Bill passed second reading and was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions for further legislative action.