U.S. revokes 85,000 visas held by Nigerians and other foreign nationals

The U.S. State Department has revoked a record 85,000 visas belonging to foreign nationals, including some Nigerians, as the Trump administration intensifies scrutiny of visitors entering the United States.

According to officials, more than 8,000 of the revoked visas were student visas, a figure that is more than double the number recorded in 2024.

Officials say the visa revocations were driven by a range of security and criminal concerns, including DUIs, assault and theft, offences that together accounted for nearly half of all cancellations over the past year.

“These are people who pose a direct threat to our communities’ safety, and we do not want to have them in our country,” a U.S. official said.

The update comes as Trump, upon assuming office, vowed to lead the largest deportation drive and crackdown on illegal immigrants in the United States.

Criminal and security concerns

U.S. consular officers have been instructed to take a tougher approach to H-1B applications and deny visas to anyone found to have engaged in “censorship or attempted censorship” of protected speech in the United States.

In November, the Department of State cited assault, theft, and driving under the influence among the major reasons for the visa revocations.

Other reasons include terrorism, supporting terrorism, public safety threats, and overstaying visas.

The administration also moved to pause immigration from 19 countries already subject to partial or full travel restrictions.

Last week, the State Department announced a new visa-restriction policy targeting individuals accused of orchestrating anti-Christian violence in Nigeria and other parts of the world. The measure follows a series of deadly attacks in the West African nation.

By Adekunle Agbetiloye, Business Insider Africa

Nigeria’s Nobel-winning author Wole Soyinka says his US visa was revoked

 

Nobel Prize-winning author Wole Soyinka said on Tuesday that his non-resident visa to enter the United States had been rejected, adding that he believes it may be because he recently criticized U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Nigerian author, 91, won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986, becoming the first African to do so.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Soyinka said he believed it had little to do with him and was instead a product of the United States’ immigration policies. He said he was told to reapply if he wished to enter again.

“It’s not about me, I’m not really interested in going back to the United States,” he said. “But a principle is involved. Human beings deserve to be treated decently wherever they are.”

Soyinka, who has taught in the U.S. and previously held a green card, joked on Tuesday that his green card “had an accident” eight years ago and “fell between a pair of scissors.” In 2017, he destroyed his green card in protest of President Trump’s first inauguration.

The letter he received informing him of his visa revocation cites “additional information became available after the visa was issued,” as the reason for its revocation, but does not describe what that information was.

Soyinka believes it may be because he recently referred to Trump as a “white version of Idi Amin,” a reference to the dictator who ruled Uganda from 1971 until 1979.

The U.S. Consulate in Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos, directed all questions to the State Department press office in Washington, D.C., which did not respond to immediate requests for comment.

Soyinka jokingly referred to it as a “love letter” and said that while he did not blame the officials, he would not be applying for another visa.

“I have no visa. I am banned, obviously, from the United States, and if you want to see me, you know where to find me.”

By Wilson McMakin, AP

Japan scraps JICA ‘Africa Hometown’ agreement with Nigeria

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has terminated the “JICA Africa Hometown” initiative following widespread protests in Japan, over concerns that the programme would trigger increased immigration from Africa.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry is scrapping the initiative after struggling to contain the slew of misinformation that had spread after the Nigerian government falsely announced that the agreement would create a new visa category that allowed Africans to relocate to Japan.

The “hometown” agreement, announced by JICA at an African development conference in Yokohama in August, aims to strengthen Japan’s ties with Nigeria and other African countries.

It was intended to foster exchanges between four municipalities in Japan and four countries in Africa.

The Japanese cities and their respective partner nations were: Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture with Nigeria; Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture with Tanzania; Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture with Ghana; and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture with Mozambique.

However, President Bola Tinubu’s administration announced that the new partnership with Japan would create a special visa for Nigerians to work in Japan.

This announcement, however, created a flurry of misinformation online that eventually led to waves of protests in Japan, with citizens calling for the programme’s cancellation.

According to the Japan Times, the president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Akihiko Tanaka, on Thursday said, “Taking the situation seriously, upon consultations with stakeholders, JICA has decided to cancel the ‘Africa Hometown Initiative.”

“We emphasize, however, that promoting international exchange, including with Africa, remains an important priority, and pledge to continue supporting such efforts despite withdrawing the Africa hometown project.”

By Beloved John, Premium Times

U.S. defends visa revocations, cites security concerns as Nigerians face entry barriers

Responding to reports of visa revocations affecting Nigerian students, business travelers, and professionals who were asked to return their passports after being informed their visas were no longer valid, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja said the process was a security measure that falls within its legal mandate.

In an earlier report, Business Insider Africa disclosed that some Nigerians were being blocked from entering the U.S. after discovering at airports that their visas had been cancelled without prior notice.

The development was revealed by former NNPC spokesperson Femi Soneye, who said several Nigerians had reached out to him to complain about the cancellations, stressing that they came without any form of warning.

Embassy defends move to ‘secure borders’

A spokesperson for the Embassy told BBC News Pidgin that the revocations were being carried out on “a scale never seen before” as part of efforts to secure America’s borders.

Citing Section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the spokesperson noted that both the Secretary of State and consular officers are empowered to revoke visas at any time if there is “indication of a potential ineligibility.”

“The Trump Administration is protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process,” the Embassy stated.

“Prohibiting entry to the United States by those who may pose a threat to U.S. national security or public safety is key to protecting U.S. citizens at home.”

Officials further explained that revocations may target cases involving visa overstays, violations of U.S. law, engagement in criminal activity, or alleged ties to terrorism.

While Nigeria is not on Washington’s formal list of banned or restricted countries, the revocations have nevertheless alarmed many Nigerians who argue that the process lacks transparency, given that most recipients were told only that “new information had come up.”

The controversy has fueled frustration among affected travelers, particularly students and professionals, who say the sudden withdrawals have disrupted their academic, business, and personal plans.

Still, Washington has made it clear that its stance is unlikely to soften, as it continues to emphasize security imperatives over diplomatic sensitivities.

By Solomon Ekanem, Business Insider Africa

Related story: Nigerian U.S. visa holders quietly blocked from entry as investigations unfold

Nigerian U.S. visa holders quietly blocked from entry as investigations unfold

A new report has revealed that the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has quietly begun revoking visas without warning, disrupting the lives of Nigerian professionals, entrepreneurs, frequent travelers, and families who suddenly find their mobility stripped away.

The revelation, made by Olufemi Soneye, former Chief Corporate Communications Officer of Nigeria’s national oil company, the NNPC Ltd, in an article published in The Cable, points to an unsettling pattern of unexplained cancellations.

According to Soneye, many Nigerians who had long traveled to and from the U.S. without incident are now receiving terse notices of revocation.

“Each had to abruptly cancel engagements, refund tickets, and explain to partners abroad why they could no longer show up. In some cases, the humiliation has been unbearable: travelers discovering at the airport, sometimes even at boarding gates, that their visas had been quietly invalidated."

"A few were briefly detained by immigration authorities before being sent home in shame,” Soneye disclosed, describing the embarrassment some affected visa holders faced at airports as they attempted to leave the country.

The cancellation letters, citing Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 41.122, claim only that “new information became available after the visa was issued.”

But beyond that line, no details are shared. No evidence is presented. No avenue for appeal is offered.

Recipients are told only that they may reapply, a costly and uncertain process that offers little reassurance to those who had already built business plans, family reunions, or educational opportunities around U.S. travel.

An offshoot of Trump’s immigration clampdown?

What makes the development more troubling is its timing.

The Trump administration has recently rolled out a series of visa restrictions targeting countries in Africa, citing security and immigration risks.

Nigeria, one of Africa’s top economy and a longstanding U.S. partner, has increasingly found itself caught in the dragnet. While Washington has not publicly linked the Nigerian cancellations to the broader policy shift, observers say the pattern fits within a tightening of U.S. entry controls for African nationals.

Yet the opacity of the process is raising alarms. Neither the U.S. Embassy in Abuja nor Nigerian authorities have issued a public statement explaining the sudden wave of cancellations.

For those affected, the silence is devastating. Many insist they have never overstayed their visas, violated immigration rules, or raised any security red flags. For them, the revocations feel less like routine enforcement and more like a targeted policy shift operating in the shadows.

“For many, this is not just about stamps on a passport. These visas are lifelines for education, family reunions, medical treatment, and critical business. To have them snatched away without explanation is to leave lives suspended in confusion and despair.” Soneye argued

The implications are wide-reaching. Each revoked visa represents not only an individual setback but also a blow to Nigeria’s international business and professional networks. Entrepreneurs lose access to global markets, students face uncertainty over study plans, and families are left grappling with missed reunions.

Shipping, oil and gas, and tech executives, sectors heavily reliant on U.S. ties, are particularly exposed.

In the absence of transparency, speculation is filling the void. Some see the cancellations as fallout from shifting U.S.–Africa relations under Trump.

Others suggest bureaucratic overreach or unannounced security screening measures.

But until officials in Washington or Abuja break their silence, thousands of Nigerians remain stranded in uncertainty and holding visas that no longer open doors.

By Solomon Ekanem, Business Insider Africa

Nigeria adopts US-style social media visa vetting

Nigeria on Monday said it plans to impose reciprocal visa requirements on US citizens following Washington's new rule demanding that Nigerian applicants disclose their social media activity for the past five years.

The Nigerian Foreign Ministry confirmed the decision after the US Mission in Nigeria issued its directive over the weekend.
What does the US visa rule require?

The US Mission said applicants must list all social media usernames, handles, email addresses and phone numbers linked to accounts used in the last five years.

"Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last five years on the DS-160 visa application form," the mission said.

It added that applicants would be required to certify that the information in their visa application was correct before signing and submitting it.

"Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas," said the mission.

The regulation is part of broader measures by the Trump administration that it says are to "ensure national security."

The rule expands an earlier requirement for international students to share their accounts and even lower privacy settings.

Officials said the information would help vet applications more thoroughly.

What is Nigeria planning in response to the US visa requirement?

Nigerian Foreign Ministry spokesman Kimiebi Ebienfa said the government would adopt the same measures for Americans applying for Nigerian visas.

"Some people from the US might want to apply for a visa, and we will adopt the same measures. Anything visa is reciprocal. What you are mandating our nationals to do, we will also mandate your citizens applying for our visa to do," he said.

He added that the Foreign Ministry will hold an inter-agency meeting with the Interior Ministry and the National Intelligence Agency to finalize the policy.

"We will have a meeting and agree on our best way to respond to it holistically," Ebienfa said. Officials stressed that Nigeria was informed of the US plan in advance.

The move comes as Nigeria faces pressure to protect its citizens from what it sees as restrictive foreign immigration rules.

Ebienfa's comments were reported in the online editions of two of Nigeria's biggest newspapers, Punch and Vanguard.

In July, Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar said the country would not bow to increased pressure to accept deported Venezuelans from US President Donald Trump.

By Richard Connor, DW

Nigeria to impose reciprocal measures on US citizens after new visa rules

The Federal Government has said it may subject United States citizens seeking Nigerian visas to the same requirements recently imposed by the US on Nigerian applicants.

The development follows new US visa regulations requiring applicants to submit details of their social media history and other online activities.

Speaking on Monday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said, “We are aware of the development. I think it’s part of the new measures they informed us about before implementation. On things of this nature, the best we can do is to carry out reciprocal action. Some people from the US might want to apply for a visa, and we will adopt the same measures.”

Ebienfa added that an inter-agency meeting will be convened to determine Nigeria’s coordinated response.

“The government will have an inclusive meeting that will involve the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior and also our National Intelligence Agency, NIA. The stakeholders that are involved will have a meeting and agree on our best way to respond to it holistically,” he said.

The US Mission in Nigeria had previously announced that visa applicants must provide their user IDs, email addresses, usernames, handles, and telephone numbers used on all platforms over the past five years.

The Mission warned that failure to submit accurate information could result in visa denial and ineligibility for future entry into the United States.

The directive forms part of broader immigration tightening measures introduced by the US government to enhance national security, expanding earlier rules that applied mainly to international student visa applicants.

The Guardian

Video - Nigeria, U.S tensions mount over immigration and trade disputes

Relations between Nigeria and the U.S. are worsening following a dispute over deported Venezuelans, new U.S. visa restrictions, and trade tariffs on Nigerian exports. Experts say the conflict reflects deeper issues, including Nigeria’s foreign policy stance on Gaza.

CGTN Africa

Kemi Badenoch makes false claim about Nigerian citizenship

The leader of the UK Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, claims that she is unable to pass on her Nigerian citizenship to her children because she is a woman. This is despite the fact the Nigerian Constitution does not discriminate against any gender when passing on Nigerian citizenship.

The Nigerian Constitution states that any person born outside Nigeria is automatically a citizen of Nigeria if either of their parents is a Nigerian citizen at the time of the child’s birth.

Ms Badenoch, however, said on Sunday that while many Nigerians are taking advantage of the UK’s relatively easy citizenship acquisition process, it remains “virtually impossible to obtain Nigerian citizenship.”

While speaking with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria during an interview, the 45-year-old British politician said there was a need for the UK to tighten its citizenship and immigration policy.

She used her children’s alleged inability to get Nigerian citizenship to illustrate the stark contrast between Nigeria’s approach and that of the UK.

“I have that (Nigerian) citizenship by virtue of my parents, but I can’t give it to my children because I’m a woman,” she said.

“Yet loads of Nigerians come to the UK and stay for a relatively free period of time, acquiring British citizenship. We need to stop being naive,” she added.

Despite being born to Nigerian parents and migrating to the UK at the age of 16, Ms Badenoch has repeatedly criticised the UK’s immigration policy, which she says makes it too easy for citizens of Nigeria and other countries to move to the UK.

She has consistently called for stricter immigration controls.

“We are allowing our tolerance to be exploited. That is not right,” she said in the CNN interview.

“Nigerians would not tolerate that. That’s not something that many countries would accept.

“There are many people who come to our country, to the UK, who do things that would not be acceptable in their countries,” she added.


Reviewing Claim of Nigerian citizenship

Ms Badenoch’s claim about Nigeria’s citizenship policy is at best inaccurate.

Section 25 of the Nigerian Constitution states that any person born outside Nigeria is automatically a citizen of Nigeria if either of their paparents is a Nigerian citizen at the time of the child’s birth. This is regardless of whether that parent is the mother or the father.

By this, a Nigerian-born mother can pass citizenship to her child, just like a Nigerian-born father can.

Ms Badenoch did not provide details of her efforts to get Nigerian passports for her three children. However, based on the constitutional provision, the children could only legally have been denied Nigerian citizenship if she had renounced her Nigerian citizenship before their birth. Ms Badenoch is married to Hamish Badenoch, a Northern Irish bank official and politician. They got married in 2012.

The Conservative Party leader said that if her party becomes the UK’s ruling party, under her leadership, the UK would prioritise implementing stricter policies on citizenship acquisition and immigration.

“It’s been too easy. It is basically a conveyor belt. We want people who want to come to the UK and be net contributors, not people who will immigrate and then need welfare and social housing.

“That’s not right because they haven’t paid into the system,” she said.

By Beloved John, Premium Times

Nigeria rejects US push to accept Venezuelan deportees

Nigeria has pushed back on accepting Venezuelans deported from the United States, after US media reported President Donald Trump was urging African countries to take in deportees from around the world.

Deporting people to third countries has been a hallmark of the Trump administration's crackdown on undocumented migrants, notably by sending hundreds to a notorious prison in El Salvador.

"The US is mounting considerable pressure on African countries to accept Venezuelans to be deported from the US, some straight out of prisons," Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said in an interview with Channels Television on Thursday.

"It will be difficult for Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners. We have enough problems of our own," he added.

Tuggar also suggested the US motivation for threatening tariffs against the Brics political bloc – of which Nigeria is a member – was related to the issue of deportations.

Trump has announced a 10 percent tariff on Nigerian goods exported to the US.

Contentious deportations

The president of Guinea-Bissau told reporters that Trump had raised the issue of deportations to third-countries but "he didn't ask us to take immigrants back".

RFI

US cuts visa validity for most Nigerian applicants

The United States has announced sweeping changes to its non-immigrant visa policy for Nigeria, cutting the duration and conditions under which most Nigerian travellers can enter the country.

Staring 8 July, the US Department of State says nearly all non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens will now be single-entry and valid for only three months.

It says this is part of a global reciprocity realignment, a sharp shift from previous visa terms, which often allowed for multiple entries over two years or more.

Nigeria also offers single-entry visas valid for three months only for those planning to visit the country from the US.

The Nigerian government has not yet commented.

The State Department says visa policies remain "subject to ongoing review" and may change depending on evolving diplomatic, security, and immigration benchmarks.

In a statement, the US government said it was working closely with Nigerian authorities to ensure the country meets key international standards.

These include: issuing secure travel documents, managing visa overstays, sharing security or criminal data for public safety purposes.

The US also ordered that the social media accounts of all foreigners applying for visas, including from Nigeria, would be vetted for "any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States".

Nigerians account for one of the highest number of student-visa applications to the US in the world.

By Chiamaka Enendu and Mansur Abubakar, BBC

Related story: Canada denies over 13,000 Nigerians refugee status

Video - Nigeria rejects EU'S migrant return plan, champions legal migration model

The European Union wants Nigeria to help with returning migrants, but Nigerian officials believe the bloc isn't looking at the bigger picture. Nigeria is pushing a legal migration model, sending skilled workers abroad through official channels, and insists any deal must ensure safety, dignity and opportunity.

CGTN

Related story: Canada and Nigeria working to combat migrant smuggling, human trafficking and irregular migration

Nigeria to launch e-visa, digital card

Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, says the federal government will launch an e-visa system and digital landing/exit cards to enhance national security.

He disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja when he received a delegation led by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to Mr Keyamo, the e-visa system will enable applicants to submit visa requests online and upload required documents electronically.

He added that the manual landing and exit cards would be digitalised, requiring visitors to pre-fill their information before travelling to Nigeria.

“What we are doing here today reflects this government’s commitment to cooperation between ministries with overlapping mandates.

“Today is another example of inter-ministerial collaboration. This specifically concerns the introduction of the e-visa system,” he said.

He said further details would be given by Mr Tunji-Ojo, and that relevant agencies such as Immigration, NCAA, and FAAN would fully support the initiative.


Mr Keyamo emphasised that there was no objection to the programme, which primarily falls under the Interior Ministry.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior stated the automation system will commence on 1 May.

He noted that the e-visa application will be free and is designed to simplify entry into Nigeria while boosting national security.

Mr Tunji-Ojo explained the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will manage landing and exit cards, which travellers must complete online before boarding.

“Coordinating and issuing regulations to airlines is naturally the NCAA’s responsibility,” Mr Tunji-Ojo said.

He revealed a central visa approval centre already exists at Immigration headquarters, with trained officers and integrated global criminal record checks.

“Better background checks will be conducted for travellers entering Nigeria. We aim to eliminate bottlenecks and ensure a transparent visa process.

“Our goal is to open Nigeria’s borders without compromising security. Both Interior and Aviation ministries have critical roles in this,” he said.

Premium Times

Nigeria moves to become third African country to offer citizenship by investment program

The citizenship by investment program will allow foreign investors to obtain Nigerian nationality in exchange for significant economic contributions.

This move aligns with global trends where countries leverage CBI programs to attract foreign capital, boost economic growth, and increase foreign direct investment.

Currently, Egypt and Mauritius are the only African nations offering formal citizenship by investment schemes.

Nigeria’s entry into this space could position it as a key player in attracting wealthy investors, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals seeking access to Africa’s largest economy.

The CIB program in focus

Egypt and Mauritius offer distinct Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs.

Egypt requires a $250,000 non-refundable contribution or investment in approved real estate or business.

Mauritius offers a Permanent Residency by Investment route, requiring a $375,000 real estate investment for a 20-year residence permit, with citizenship eligibility after seven years.

Nigeria's potential CBI program may follow either model, depending on its economic priorities and political stance.

CIB as bait for foreign investors?

Nigeria's House of Representatives has taken a significant step towards granting citizenship to foreign investors who meet specific financial thresholds.

The Citizenship by Investment Bill, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu and other lawmakers passed its second reading and aims to introduce a new class of citizenship known as citizenship by investment.

This move is designed to attract substantial foreign direct investment by offering nationality to individuals who make significant economic contributions to the country.

Although specific details about Nigeria’s program—such as the minimum investment threshold, qualifying sectors, and application criteria—are yet to be unveiled, experts suggest it could include investments in real estate, government bonds, or key economic sectors like petroleum, manufacturing and technology.

The proposed alteration aims to attract foreign direct investment by granting Nigerian citizenship to individuals who invest in the Nigerian economy above a specified financial threshold or in strategic sectors critical to national development.

If implemented successfully, Nigeria’s citizenship by investment program could reshape its economic landscape, making it a more attractive destination for global investors while strengthening its position as a major African economic hub.

By Solomon Ekanem, Business Insider Africa

Canada denies over 13,000 Nigerians refugee status

Over 13,000 Nigerians who applied for refugee protection in Canada from January 2013 to December 2024 were rejected.

Data from the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada said this figure includes 811 Nigerians whose applications were turned down in 2024.

The breakdown of the rejections showed that 127 Nigerian claims were rejected in 2013, 241 in 2014 and 248 in 2015.

In 2016, 2017 and 2018, 476, 917 and 1,777 claims were rejected, respectively.

In 2019, 3,951 Nigerian applicants were turned down, marking the highest number of rejected claims by Nigerians.

Meanwhile, 1,770, 1,686, 728, 439 and 811 persons were denied protection in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively.

The board placed Nigeria among the top five countries with the most rejected claims in 2024.

Mexico tops the list with 2,954 rejections, followed by India and Haiti, which have 1,688 and 982 rejected claims respectively.

Colombia is in fourth place with 723 rejected claims, while Nigeria is in fifth place with 811 rejections.

In Canada, asylum seekers get refugee protection if the RPD satisfactorily confirms that their claims meet the United Nations definition of a Convention refugee.

Daily Trust

Nigerian robber spared deportation because he would be considered 'possessed' in home country

A Nigerian man convicted of armed robbery and drug dealing has been allowed to remain in Britain because he is "possessed" - despite deportation orders being issued over a decade ago.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is said to suffer from mental health issues including psychosis and believes he can "hear voices all the time".

A judge allowed him to stay in Britain on human rights grounds as he would not receive adequate treatment in Nigeria - where his condition might be considered demonic possession.

The man was jailed for seven years in 2011 for carrying out an armed robbery on a brothel and seven years later was handed another prison sentence for supplying crack cocaine in 2018, The Telegraph reports.

A deportation order was issued back in April 2014, more than 10 years ago, and experts have deemed him "high risk of serious harm" to the public.

A doctor found he "hears voices all the time" and suffers from "a trauma-related disorder with psychotic features", experiencing intrusive memories and nightmares, and is preoccupied with demonic forces "playing tricks with his mind".

The criminal believes his "mental ill-health is a result of being possessed" and that these demons prevent him from moving when he wakes up.

He continues to receive treatment for an addiction to crack cocaine.

Upper Tribunal Judge Stephen Smith ruled against deportation due to the convict's specific treatment needs, saying: "We note the appellant's recurring belief that his mental ill-health is a result of being possessed.

"We assess that him expressing this belief would increase the likelihood that others will see his illness as being a manifestation of possession."

The judge concluded that Nigeria could not provide the same level of care.

A report prepared by Amnesty International for the appeal reads: "He is at substantial risk of being identified as suffering from demonic forces and faces a resultant risk of being targeted as a result."

Amnesty assessed that in Nigeria, the man would "encounter widespread attitudes that confirm and amplify his belief in demonic forces and witchcraft as being at the root of his problems"

The man has seemed to express a desire to reform, saying: "I really want to stay away from crime. I don't want to get into that predicament again, I want to live a normal life."

His key worker reports he has been attending the gym five to six days a week and participates in volunteer work once a week.

He currently lives in the community rather than in secure accommodation.

This case is the latest in a series where foreign criminals have used human rights laws to remain in the UK - following cases such as an Albanian criminal who avoided deportation by claiming his son had an aversion to foreign chicken nuggets.

By Susanna Siddell, GBN

Nigeria to automate short stay visa approval process

Nigeria is automating its electronic visa approval and issuance process in an effort to boost travel and business, the interior minister said.

This automation aims to eliminate lengthy wait times faced by travellers upon arrival and could end a thriving industry for middlemen who work with immigration officials to help visitors jump through the hoops.

Under the proposed plan, travellers can apply online for short-stay visas, with approvals granted within 24 to 48 hours. Once approved, the e-visa will be sent to the applicant's email, eliminating the need for a physical sticker at the airport.

"The proposed visa policy aims to enhance the ease of doing business, boost tourism, and strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations with other countries," Olubunmi Ojo, Nigeria's interior minister said on X following a department meeting on Tuesday.

Since President Tinubu came into office in May 2023, the government has sought to improve visa process for foreigners and ease passport issuance system for Nigerians, setting up a contactless passport application system for Nigerians abroad.

By Isaac Anyaogu, Reuters

What travelers need to know about Nigeria's updated visa-on-arrival policy

This clarification on the updated visa-on-arrival policy follows a meeting between the Director General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, and the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

The meeting aimed to discuss the VoA process, address concerns, and reaffirm the government’s stance on the initiative.

The decision to halt the visa-on-arrival policy in Nigeria has raised fears and panic among investors as it threatens to hinder business travel, discourage foreign investment, and create uncertainty about the country’s commitment to ease of doing business.

Nigeria’s visa-on-arrival policy

Nigeria’s old Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) policy allowed passport holders from African Union (AU) member states and citizens of all countries to obtain visas upon arrival for short visits, tourism, business, or emergency relief work.

It also extended to Nigerians in the diaspora with dual citizenship, infants born abroad, and former citizens who had renounced their nationality.

The policy was designed to simplify entry procedures by allowing eligible travelers to obtain visas at international airports rather than at embassies or consulates.

However, it was not available at land border crossings. Travelers were required to meet documentation and fee requirements before receiving entry approval upon arrival.

Recently, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the government's plan to discontinue the Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) policy, citing it as “unsustainable” and a potential security risk.

According to the minister, it is essential to have prior knowledge of a traveler’s arrival in Nigeria. “I don’t expect you to just come to my country without me knowing you’re coming in. No, it’s never done anywhere,” he stated.

However, security experts have raised concerns about potential lapses, warning that relying solely on port-of-entry document submissions may hinder thorough vetting of travelers.

To enhance security, the government plans to deploy an Advance Passenger Information system at land borders.

Tunji-Ojo confirmed that by April 1, 2025, the current VoA system will be replaced with stricter pre-arrival clearance and screening processes to improve traveler tracking and strengthen border security.

VoA: Cancellation or upgrading?

The minister’s policy has, however, drawn significant criticism and concern, with some sectors warning that the move could discourage investors unwilling to endure long visa application queues.

In response, the Director General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) engaged with the Minister of Interior to gather more information on the policy.

During the meeting, the minister reassured the DG that the Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) process is not being scrapped but rather upgraded to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

He clarified that travelers will still be able to apply online for short-stay visas, with approvals granted within 24 to 48 hours.

Tunji-Ojo added that individuals must fill out a landing card, which will be integrated with the visa solution, passport solution, and global background checking systems, prior to arrival. According to him, the ministry will share this data with other agencies worldwide to sanitize the process.

Once approved, the visa will be sent directly to the applicant’s email, eliminating the need for a physical sticker upon arrival.

This upgrade builds on the existing online approval system, streamlining the process and ensuring travelers receive approvals before departure.

The enhanced system aims to eliminate inefficiencies, improve automation, and strengthen Nigeria’s control over traveler inflows.

By modernizing the visa process, Nigeria moves closer to creating a more business-friendly environment and attracting foreign investment.

By Solomon Ekanem, Business Insider Africa

Nigeria Immigration Begins Passport Printing in Atlanta, New York

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has recently delivered and installed new passport printing machines at the consulates in Atlanta and New York, following directives from the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in January 2025.

This development comes in response to requests from Nigerians in the diaspora, who highlighted the need for improved passport services at these consulates.

The installation of the new printers on February 18, 2025, is expected to ease the passport application process, providing immediate relief to Nigerians in the U.S.

The special assistant to the minister on media, Babatunde Alao, emphasised that this initiative is part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to enhance passport services and ensure a more seamless application process.

Tunji-Ojo expressed the Ministry’s commitment to innovation and improved service delivery, noting that the installation of the new printers reflects the government’s dedication to meeting the needs of Nigerians both domestically and abroad.

This move is also part of ongoing reforms, including the Abuja Passport Personalisation Centre and the expansion of contactless solutions to further enhance service efficiency.

The installation of the printers aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, showcasing the administration’s commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians by making passport services faster and more efficient in both Atlanta and New York.

By Vin.Oliji, Voice of Nigeria

3,690 Nigerians Among 1.4Million Illegal Immigrants in US Expulsion

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has identified approximately 1.5 million “illegal immigrants” for deportation.

The deportations come as President Donald Trump enforces his crackdown on illegal immigration.

A document obtained by Fox News from ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) states that, as of 24 November 2024, 1,445,549 non-citizens were on ICE’s non-detained docket with final removal orders.

Nigeria ranked second in Africa with 3,690 individuals on the list, following Somalia with 4,090. Ghana was third with 3,228.

Mexico had the highest number of deportees, with 252,044 individuals identified for removal.

The US government urged countries to accept the return of their nationals, warning that a lack of cooperation could hinder deportations.

“The U.S. Government requests foreign governments to verify citizenship, issue travel documents promptly, and accept the return of their nationals,” the document states.

It further warns that failure to comply may result in countries being designated as uncooperative.

Before his re-election in November, Trump had pledged to prioritise stricter immigration policies.

The US president has repeatedly referred to illegal immigrants as a cause of rising crime rates.

On his first day back in office, Trump signed multiple executive orders, including declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border and deploying troops to bolster security.

By Toyibat Ajose, News Central