NIS - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Tosin Kolade
May, Fri, 2025

Nigeria introduces e-Visa, digital entry system

97 total views today

By Ibironke Ariyo

Nigeria has introduced the fully digital e-Visa regime and an automated landing and exit card system as part of major reforms under Nigeria’s 2025 Visa Policy.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer, (NIS), Mr Akinsola Akinlabi, on Friday in Abuja.

The NIS said that the initiative was a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

The service said that the new development aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and took effect from May 1, 2025.

It added that the e-Visa application system is an end-to-end online platform designed to enhance national security, streamline application processes, and eliminate visa-on-arrival arrangements.

“The new e-Visa platform introduces 13 categories under the Short Visit Visa (SVV) class. The full details are available on the official portal: https://evisa.immigration.gov.ng,”.

The NIS said that applications would be processed within 48 hours or less, and successful applicants would receive e-Visas and QR codes via their registered email addresses.

The service also announced that the Visa on Arrival policy would be discontinued from May 1, 2025, and that visas issued under that policy remain valid only until May 30, 2025.

The service said the e-Visas were non-extendable, urging applicants to apply for visas that best match the duration and purpose of their visit.

“The new policy also introduces strict overstay penalties, effective September 1, 2025 and a daily fine of $15 will apply for all overstays.

“Foreigners who overstay for three months and above will incur a $15/day fine and a five-year entry ban.

“Also, those who overstay for one year and above will face the same fine plus permanent blacklisting from entering Nigeria.

“In addition to the e-Visa rollout, the government is replacing the manual embarkation and disembarkation forms with a fully automated landing and exit card system, available at: https://lecard.immigration.gov.ng.

“All inbound passengers, except Nigerians, are required to complete the electronic landing card online before boarding, while outbound passengers must complete the exit card before departure,” it said.

The NIS explained that the exit card system was synchronized with the Visa Processing Centre to enforce penalties, including automatic visa bans for non-compliance.

To ease the transition, it said, a three-month window period from May 1 to Aug. 1, 2025, has been granted.

“During this period, foreigners currently residing in Nigeria with expired visas may return to their home countries without incurring any penalties.

“We urge all stakeholders to comply with the revised immigration policies and timelines.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to implementing a more efficient, transparent, and secure immigration system that aligns with global best practices. ”(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Lydia Beshel
Mar, Tue, 2025

Economy/Business

FG restates commitment to reform NIS

211 total views today

Reforms

By Abiodun Azi

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says the Federal Government is committed to implementing various reforms in the ministry and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Tunji-Ojo spoke to newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday after a meeting with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA).

The minister described the gathering as a “family meeting,” emphasising NECA’s role as a strategic partner.

He acknowledged the critical contributions of the private sector to socio-economic development.

He said the meeting focused on reviewing strategies, enhancing government performance, promoting private sector growth, and making decisions that aligned with the interests of Nigerians and the economy.

“It is not just about CERPAC reforms alone, there were a lot of reforms because it is our responsibility to make life easier for Nigerians and expatriates.

“We need strategic partnership with NECA, affiliate organisations and other agencies; we need to cooperate to take decisions as a team.

” What’s important to us is what is important to them and what’s that? Interest of Nigerians, ” he said.

According to the minister, this is our country and we can actually do the unimaginable.

“We can achieve the seemingly unachievable when we are united in our approach and understanding,” saying, ” we have shared values.”

He reassured Nigerians that the ministry of interior in line with its citizenship business responsibilities was actively collaborating to realise its set objectives.

He hinted that there was an agreement for these meetings to occur at least twice a year, rather than being a one-off event, particularly to address their concerns, especially those affecting their businesses.

Tunji-Ojo said that reforms had to continue, noting that it was a work in progress.

According to him, a lot has been done with regard to CERPAC, expatriate quota, business permit and a lot of things, even work flow in terms of border control and how it affects NIS.

In his remarks, the Director-General of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, stated that while governance was often seen as complex and challenging, “when you have visionaries running the system, you realise it is one of the simplest things to do.”

Oyerinde noted that a key aspect of the discussions was the need for stakeholders to engage constructively.

He added that all stakeholders in the Nigerian project commended the government for opening channels of engagement.

He highlighted that the most significant outcome was the consensus to establish a committee that would collaborate to review several key issues.

He said that work on all the identified areas would commence within the next week.(NAN)

Editing by Kevin Okunzuwa

NIS intercepts 21 minors at Nigeria-Niger border

Lydia Beshel
Jan, Fri, 2025

Defence/Security

NIS intercepts 21 minors at Nigeria-Niger border

353 total views today

By Ahmed Abba

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has intercepted 21 minors, suspected to be victims of trafficking at the Geidam border post in Yobe.

The Yobe State Comptroller of the NIS, Mr. Sani Sule-Jega disclosed this while handing over the children to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation.

Sule-Jega said the minors, aged between seven and 15, were without travel documents and were being transported from Magama Local Government Area of Niger State to the Republic of Niger.

“These minors, aged between seven and 15, were intercepted at the Geidam border out-post.

“Our core mandate is border security and migration management, and this interception is a testament to our commitment.

“They were travelling without any documentation, raising our suspicion, hence we handed them over to NAPTIP for proper investigation,” he said.

The suspected trafficker, identified as Abubakar Sadiq, claimed the children were being taken to Niger Republic for educational purposes.

He said their parents requested him to find affordable schools for them in Maine, Niger Republic.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the driver, the suspected trafficker, and the rescued children have been handed over to NAPTIP for further investigation. (NAN)

Edited by Yetunde Fatungase/Maureen Atuonwu

Ismail Abdulaziz
Nov, Sun, 2024

General News

NIS unveils comprehensive reform agenda

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By Ibironke Ariyo

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has inaugurated a sweeping reform agenda aimed at enhancing national security and migration management.

The move followed a communiqué signed by the NIS Comptroller General, Kemi Nandap, at the Service’s annual conference in Jos, Plateau on Saturday, was issued by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) Mr Kenneth Udo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference held from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 was tagged “Enhancing Border security and Migration Management on a globalised world: challenges and opportunities for Nigeria.”

She said that the conference brought together 448 participants, including top government officials, diplomats, and stakeholders.

Nandap said the event aimed to assess the service’s preparedness, identify emerging challenges, and develop sustainable strategies for repositioning the NIS.

“NIS will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies and stakeholders.

“Cutting-edge technology will be used to improve border security and migration management.

“A strategic plan will be developed to align with the Federal Government’s initiatives on Foreign Direct Investments and Tourism.

“Divisional Immigration Offices will be restructured to enhance intelligence gathering and community engagement.

“Further process re-engineering will promote professionalism, patriotism, and discipline, “she said.

She also said that training and capacity building would be prioritised to enhance knowledge acquisition and professionalism.

According to her, a robust health insurance policy and pension package will be implemented for retired officers.

The NIS boss expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for their support.

The Governor of Plateau State, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, was also acknowledged for his hospitality and assistance in making the conference a success.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru