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

Aliko Dangote re-enters top 100 richest individuals list in Forbes 2025

According to Forbes' real-time ranking of billionaires, Dangote’s net worth climbed to approximately $23.9 billion from $13.4 billion last year. This increase of around $10.5 billion (78.4 per cent) was driven by the recent commencement of operations of Dangote Petroleum Refinery commenced operations in Lagos.

With a 92.3 per cent stake in the Dangote refinery, the 67-year-old billionaire has re-entered the ranks of the top 100 richest individuals for the first time since 2018. He also stands out prominently on the list as the only African among the top 100 richest individuals in the world.

South African billionaire Johann Rupert holds the second spot in Africa, at 164th with a net worth of $14.2 billion. Nicky Oppenheimer and family come in third place, at 288th position, with a net worth of $9.5 billion.

The Dangote refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, is the largest in Africa and the seventh-largest refinery globally. Since the commencement of operations of the petroleum refinery in Lagos, Dangote has disrupted the Nigerian government’s oil monopoly and has overcome substantial challenges from the Nigerian “oil mafia.”

The refinery is already influencing global energy dynamics after it recently signed a deal to export two cargoes of aviation fuel to Saudi Arabia. Locally, the refinery is already influencing the import-export market, as Nigeria's petrol imports have reached their lowest level in eight years, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and strengthening fuel independence.

In an interview with Forbes, Dangote shared his vision for African industrialization, stating, "We have to build our nation by ourselves. We have to build our continent by ourselves, not rely on foreign investment." He described the refinery project as "the biggest risk of my life," emphasizing the stakes involved for his financial future.

Zainab Usman, Director of the Africa Programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, remarked that many Nigerians believe Dangote to be a hero, a true industrialist driving transformative change in the country and in Africa.

By Victor Oluwole, Business Insider Africa

Related story: Nigeria's richest man Aliko Dangote takes on the 'oil mafia'

Nigeria removed from global aviation leasing blacklist

This announcement was made by the Chief Operating Officer of United Nigeria Airlines, Osita Okonkwo, who noted that the West African country now has more access to leasing aircraft, following its removal from the global aviation leasing market's blacklist.

“The important thing is that Nigeria is no longer on the blacklist. Nigeria was blacklisted before, but that is sorted,” he stated.

The CEO also disclosed that while Nigeria's blacklisting concerns have been handled, individual airline operators must now deal directly with lessors to get aircraft.

“So, individual operators, we now have to discuss flying the aircraft, discuss with lessors, meet their conditions, and then sign on the dotted lines,” Osita Okonkwo, revealed.

In previous years, Nigeria was regarded as a risky market, which made it challenging for airlines to lease aircraft, according to Okonkwo.

Fortunately, operators now have stronger prospects due to the increased rating, as reported by the Punch newspaper.

“It all depends on the risks. Before, Nigeria was rated very high risk, and almost no business was done with Nigeria, but now the high risk is gone. We hope the price is competitive,’ he said.

“On dry leasing, the process of getting an airplane purchased is not your regular process of ‘I want to buy a car, and I’m paying, and I’m taking it home.’. There are so many processes, so many documentary things that will be involved,” Tunde Moshood, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development's Special Adviser on Media and Communications, stated.

“So, the Boeing lessors forum that we attended has exposed Nigeria to the Western world; they appreciated the fact that Nigeria is back and it is promising and that we are fulfilled in all righteousness. Like our IDERA, like the Cape Town Convention, all of these are what has endeared us to the lessors,” he added.

By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa

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