The federal government has introduced a new policy to crack down on visa overstayers, with penalties including daily fines and potential bans from re-entering Nigeria.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, announced the new measures during a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos on Friday.

The event, held at NECA House, focused on ongoing immigration reforms, including updates on the expatriate quota system and the Nigeria visa policy (NVP) 2025.

The minister announced that from August, the government will impose a daily fine of $15 on foreign nationals who overstay their visas.

He added that foreigners who overstay for three months will receive a five-year re-entry ban, while those who overstay for a year or more will be banned from returning to Nigeria.

Tunji-Ojo said although the penalties are set to take effect in May 2025, the government will allow a three-month grace period until August before enforcement begins.

This window, according to him, is intended to give visa holders time to regularise their status or make necessary travel arrangements without penalty.

“From first of August, anybody that does not take advantage of the amnesty period of three months, penalty will come,” the minister said.

“But if you take advantage of that window to regularise, we will not charge you. Because the whole idea is not to punish you, the whole idea is for us to regularise. Let’s know the people that are actually in Nigeria.

“From first of August, if you (-) it’s $15 dollars per day and if you have stayed more than three months, five years, abeg we don’t need violators in Nigeria.

“And if you have stayed more than one year without coming forward during the amnesty period, abeg don’t come to Nigeria again for life.”

The minister also announced plans to fully digitalize the process of obtaining the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC).

The move, according to him, aims to simplify the application process for foreign nationals residing and working in Nigeria.

Tunji-Ojo added that the digitalised process will allow foreign nationals to fill and submit CERPAC applications online, eliminating the need for manual forms.

He said payments for CERPAC can also be made online, streamlining the process.

The minister added that the digitalised CERPAC process is set to go live on May 1, with a link available on the NIS website.

“On issue of the CERPAC. Do not be scared. We are not increasing your CERPAC fee. To me, let us sanitise the system. That’s the first thing,” he said.

“We are automating it end to end. Because as it is today, the procedure is that you have to go to buy a form. When you buy a form, you pay at the bank, and take the form to CERPAC centre. There’s no country in the world that does that.

“Your CERPAC will be filled online. Payments will be done online. Immigration will review at the bank end.

“And if you know you have criminal issues, do not apply for CERPAC. Because we are integrating the CERPAC solution with Interpol 24/7 and all other criminal systems. So that Nigeria will not be a safe haven for somebody that they are looking for all over the world. This place is not safe for you. Go back.

“So, everything, you can do it with the comfort of your office. And by our laws, we are going to be holding employers responsible from the foundations. It’s the way it’s done all over the world. It is the employers that will hold employees. My business is with you, business owners.

“We’ve been working on this for months, if not over a year, looking at the way it’s done all over the world, best practices, and everything.”

The newly appointed 23 Local Government administrators for Rivers State have been cautioned against reckless actions and misuse of public funds.

The caution was handed to the LG administrators by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired) in Friday, April 11.

Speaking at a high-level meeting at the Rivers State Government House, Ibas said he will not tolerate any form of recklessness, abuse of office or funds misuse by the appointees.

“I will not tolerate any form of recklessness, abuse of office, or misuse of public funds,.

“You are here to serve the people, not yourselves. Every kobo spent must be accounted for, and the people must see value for their money,” Ibas warned.

He further urged the LG leaders to ensure total committment to the state’s sanitation, welfare and discipline of local government civil servants, environmental management, primary education, youth engagement and healthcare service delivery.

According to him, these are the key areas for which their performance will be assessed.

“This is not the time for excuses. It is the time for results.”

“The people deserve to know how their money is being used. You owe them not only accountability but also dedication to their well-being,” Ibas added.

Abdullahi Ganduje, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the party’s national working committee (NWC) members have visited former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna state.

The visit took place on Friday hours after opposition leaders met with the former president.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar had earlier on Friday led a delegation, including Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna; Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Sokoto; and Isa Pantami, former minister of communications, to Buhari’s residence.

Speaking with the press afterwards, el-Rufai had asked “adversaries” not to lose sleep, saying the visit was not political.

While the outcome of the APC NWC’s visit remains undisclosed, it is coming days after Buhari welcomed a delegation of APC governors led by Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo state.

Uzodimma, who is the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, said their visit was to deliver Sallah greetings and congratulate Buhari on the successful conclusion of the Ramadan fast.

Lately, there have been growing concerns about the possible departure of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) faction from the APC.

The CPC was one of the four political parties that merged in 2013 to create the APC, with Buhari being a member of the CPC faction.

Despite the speculations, Buhari has affirmed that he would never abandon the APC.

Late on Friday, Ali Ndume, an APC senator, asked President Bola Tinubu to be worried if Buhari aligns with the proposed coalition of opposition leaders.

Here are photos from the APC NWC’s visit to Buhari.

Members of the All Progressives Congress Youth Network have accused Senator Ali Ndume of seeking relevance through controversy.

The allegations made against the lawmaker by the youth network follow Ndume’s recent claim that President Bola Tinubu’s appointments since assuming office are lopsided.

The lawmaker had also accused the president of only appointing his allies and individuals from his home region – the Southwest – to his cabinet and key agencies.

However, in reaction to Ndume’s allegation against the president, the APC youths described the lawmaker’s claim as reckless, misleading, and unbecoming of a high-ranking member of the society.

A statement by the group on Friday, April 11, said the youths are deeply disappointed by the allegations against the Tinubu’s administration.

Abubakar Gidado, the coordinator of the group said the additional claim that the Tinubu administration was spending borrowed funds on frivolities and flouting the constitutional provision on federal character in political appointments is misleading.

“President Tinubu’s budgeting process has been one of the most transparent and reform-driven systems Nigeria has seen in recent times. From cutting down on waste to prioritising capital projects and reducing recurrent expenditure, the administration has shown a deep commitment to fiscal prudence – something Ndume conveniently ignores in his emotional outbursts.

“The president has appointed Nigerians from all regions in strategic positions across federal ministries, agencies and parastatals. If Ndume is still stuck in the past, he should bring himself up to speed with recent developments and stop misleading the public with outdated figures,” Gidado said.

He further urged Tinubu to remain focused and ignore the voices of individuals or groups that only seek to derail the government’s achievements with baseless and misleading claims.

Nasir el-Rufai, the ex-governor of Kaduna, says the visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna state, was not political.

On Friday, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar led a delegation of some politicians to visit Buhari in Kaduna. 

Among those who accompanied Atiku on the visit were el-Rufai; Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Sokoto; Isa Pantami, former minister of communications; Achike Udenwa, former governor of Imo; Gabriel Suswam, former governor of Benue; and Jibrilla Bindow, former governor of Adamawa.

In a post on X, el-Rufai, who recently defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) from the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the visitation was for “unity and brotherhood”.

“We joined over faithful for Jumaat prayers at the Yahaya Road Mosque and had a sumptuous lunch at the Buhari Residence,” he wrote.

“By the way, our adversaries should not lose any sleep. It is not about politics. It is about unity and brotherhood. And since we are all politically irrelevant, we just prayed and enjoyed lunch with our mentor.”

After his defection from the APC, el-Rufai said he consulted Buhari before resigning his membership of the party.

He added that he does not take a major decision without first consulting Buhari, adding that the ex-president prayed for him after he shared his defection plan with him.

Meanwhile, Buhari said he remained a committed member of the ruling APC.

In a statement by Garba Shehu, Buhari’s media aide, after el-Rufai’s defection, the former president said he would never turn his back on the ruling party that gave him the platform to become the country’s president.

The Federal Government has disclosed plans to construct 100 housing units in each of the 774 local government areas of the country, amounting to a total of 77,400 units.

Naija News reports that the construction is expected to be completed within one year from the launch date.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, made this known while receiving a delegation from Creative Sphere Limited at the Ministry’s headquarters, in Mabushi, on Wednesday.

The Minister said the project aligned with President Bola Tinubu‘s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian has access to decent housing.

Dangiwa explained that the programme would be funded through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF).

“Each estate will be equipped with auxiliary facilities such as recreational areas, a primary school, a police outpost, a clinic, and a shopping mall,” he said.

Regarding the allocation of the houses, the Minister explained that 80% of the houses would be sold to Nigerians living in the local government areas who earn a living wage, adding that interested individuals would be required to contribute one-third of their monthly income.

“Anyone earning as low as N30,000 per month will be able to purchase a house, as they will only need to pay N10,000 monthly, which is one-third of their earnings. Similarly, someone earning N90,000 will pay N30,000,” he explained.

He further revealed that the remaining 20% of the housing units would be allocated free of charge to citizens with low or no income, such as widows, orphans, and others identified as vulnerable in society.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume had allayed fears that President Bola Tinubu’s appointments are lopsided.

Akume made an assurance to Nigerians following allegations by Senator Ali Ndume that the president has been favouring people from his region while making appointments.

Flood Crisis Looms As Nigerian Govt Warns Over 1,200 Communities
However, refuting the claim, the SGF said Tinubu is committed to adhering to the principles of the Federal Character.

In statement issued by Segun Imohiosen, the Director, Information and Public Relations for the Office of the SGF, Akume said such insinuations should be disregarded.

The statement said the current administration of President Tinubu is unwavering in its commitment to the principles of fairness, equity, and national unity.

“All appointments are made in strict adherence to federal character principle, as enshrined in Section 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Altered).

“It is notable to mention that, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, believes strongly in the unity of Nigeria and is guided by the ideals of fairness and tenets of justice in all appointments. This Administration is dedicated to ensuring that all regions and demographics of the country are adequately represented in its institutions and agencies,” Imohiosen said.

He said the present government remains steadfast in its pursuit of a prosperous, united and equitable Nigeria, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of this Administration.

“Pokers of embers of hate and disunity who carry tendentious and unfounded allegations should never be taken seriously by Nigerians.

Inquiries with respect to this matter can be channelled through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation which is the official custodian of such appointments,” he added.

The senator representing Borno South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the growing concerns regarding the alleged lopsided appointments in his administration.

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme on Friday, Ndume accused the President of violating the Federal Character principle, a key provision of the Nigerian Constitution that mandates equal representation in public offices.

According to Ndume, several key positions in Tinubu’s administration have been concentrated in favour of a specific region, leaving other parts of the country underrepresented.

This, he warned, could further fuel political discontent and deepen existing divisions within the country.

Ndume pointed out, “Seventy-two appointees of Tinubu are Yorubas, I’m not talking about North or South. “Section 14(3) of the Constitution is clear—it says that appointments into political positions should be spread in such a way that no tribe is left out. The Constitution says that everybody should have a sense of belonging.”

Naija News reports he expressed his concern, suggesting that President Tinubu might not be fully aware of the imbalance in his appointments, which he described as unintentional.

However, he emphasized that the current situation could be corrected, urging the administration to view his comments as a “wake-up call.”

Lessons From Buhari’s Administration

Ndume also referenced his past criticisms of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointments, especially the lopsided selection of service chiefs.

He shared how he confronted Buhari on the issue, and the former President explained his choices. Ndume hopes that President Tinubu will take action to rectify the current imbalance.

“I criticised Buhari on his lopsided appointment of service chiefs, I even confronted him on that and he gave me the reasons,” Ndume stated.

The APC Senator also expressed concern over the rising political opposition against the President. He warned that the dissatisfaction within the ruling party, particularly among APC members, is growing.

“Every vote matters,” Ndume said, stressing that some members of the APC feel neglected and abandoned.

Referring to Governor El-Rufai’s earlier remarks, Ndume explained that many party members are upset because they feel they have no access to the President.

Instead of addressing these grievances, Ndume noted that the Presidency has opted to criticize these individuals in the media, which he deemed “very dangerous.”

Ndume concluded by urging the President and the APC leadership to pay attention to the simmering discontent within the party, as this could have serious implications for the future of the administration.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and his co-defendants must open their defence in the ongoing drug trafficking case filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The ruling, delivered on Friday, April 11, followed a series of no-case submissions filed by the defendants, which the court dismissed. Justice Nwite held that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against the embattled officer and his co-accused.

Kyari, a former Head of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), was arrested on February 14, 2022, after the NDLEA declared him wanted over alleged involvement with an international drug cartel.

He is standing trial alongside four other police officers—ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba, and Inspector John Nuhu—on charges of conspiracy to deal in 17.55kg of cocaine, unlawful dealing, and tampering with evidence.

The defendants were arraigned on March 7, 2022, alongside two suspected drug traffickers, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, who were apprehended at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu. While Kyari and the four officers pleaded not guilty, Umeibe and Ezenwanne pleaded guilty and were subsequently convicted.

Following the closure of the NDLEA’s case, the defence team filed a no-case submission, arguing that the evidence presented was insufficient for conviction. However, in five separate rulings, Justice Nwite disagreed.

“Assuming without conceding that the defendants were charged with a quantity of cocaine either less or more than 17.55kg, it does not negate the fact that prima facie evidence exists showing the 1st defendant dealt with or tampered with cocaine,” the judge stated in his ruling on Kyari’s application.

The court has adjourned the matter to May 21, 2025, for the defendants to open their defence.

Senator Ali Ndume, representing the Borno South Senatorial District, has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the nation’s security and economy sectors.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Daily on Friday, Ndume urged the President to focus solely on these critical areas, stating, “Let the President forget about everything and concentrate on three things – security, welfare of citizens, and economy.”

He emphasized that Tinubu’s attention should be on these priorities as a matter of urgency. “His attention should go there as number 1, then he should create a state of emergency in those areas.”

While a strong advocate for democratic principles, Ndume expressed surprise over the President’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.

He criticized the move, which followed a prolonged political crisis in the oil-rich state, and called it a misstep.

On March 18, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly for six months. He appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as administrator to oversee the state’s affairs during this period. The President invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows the declaration of a state of emergency in cases of national danger or disaster.

However, Ndume questioned the necessity of such a proclamation, suggesting that the President should have instead gathered the key political figures involved and worked towards resolving the dispute.

“I feel that the President would have worked seriously on bringing them (and) solving the problem than declaring a state of emergency,” he said.

He also rejected claims that the political actors had ignored the President’s previous directives before the emergency rule was imposed.

“How can you ignore the President? When he removed them now, did they ignore the removal?” Ndume queried.