Latest news with #NigerianImmigrationService
Business Insider
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Nigerian Immigration issues advisory to citizens travelling to the US
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has issued a formal advisory urging citizens to strictly follow the conditions of their U.S. visas, following concerns by the U.S. government over widespread misuse. The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) advised citizens to adhere to U.S. visa conditions to avoid penalties Students studying in the U.S. must maintain full-time academic status to prevent visa cancellation. This advisory aligns Nigeria alongside other African nations in promoting global mobility compliance standards. In a statement, NIS spokesperson ACI Akinlabi said, 'The NIS wishes to inform the general public about the concerns raised by the US government over the misuse of visas by Nigerians.' He warned that violations—such as overstaying or unauthorized activities —could lead to visa revocation, deportation, or permanent travel bans. 'Breach of visa conditions, including overstaying, may attract severe penalties, including removal from the U.S. and permanent ineligibility for future travel,' he said. Akinlabi also advised Nigerian students in the U.S. to maintain full-time academic status: 'Nigerian students in the U.S. must remain in active study. Withdrawal, absenteeism, or change of academic program without notification may lead to visa cancellation and loss of future eligibility.' He further noted that consular officers can deny tourist visas if they suspect the applicant intends to give birth in the U.S.: 'The NIS continues to collaborate with the U.S. Mission in Abuja to ensure Nigeria is not included in any expanded visa restrictions. Compliance with visa regulations is essential to safeguard legitimate travel by Nigerian citizens.' U.S-Nigeria travel advisory As of mid-July 2025, the United States maintains a Level 3 travel advisory for Nigeria, urging citizens to reconsider travel due to persistent threats from crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed gangs, and inadequate healthcare services. In addition to security concerns, the U.S. government has also issued fresh visa-related warnings to Nigerian applicants. On July 8, 2025, the U.S. Department of State revised its visa reciprocity policy, reducing the validity of most non-immigrant, non-diplomatic visas for Nigerian citizens to three months, single entry. Previously issued visas remain valid under their original terms. Furthermore, in a July 28, 2025 memo, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria warned that travel primarily for childbirth purposes, commonly referred to as birth tourism, is prohibited. Visa applications suspected of being linked to this practice may be denied, with applicants subject to heightened scrutiny and possible penalties for misrepresentation. Together, these measures reflect a broader tightening of U.S. immigration controls targeting both security and immigration integrity concerns. Nigeria's issuance of this advisory brings it in line with 36 other African countries facing potential travel restrictions. Authorities and U.S. missions in these countries have warned against visa fraud, overstays, and misuse of travel privileges.
Business Insider
06-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Top officials barred from travel amid Nigeria's $2.9 billion oil refinery fraud
What began as a cause for celebration in Nigeria has turned into one of the most shocking scandals in the country's oil sector. The rehabilitation of the country's refineries, intended to make Nigeria's oil market competitive, has failed to materialize. Rehabilitation of Nigerian refineries has turned into a shocking scandal. Passports of officials accused of mismanaging funds for refinery reconstruction confiscated by Nigerian Immigration Service. EFCC made arrests in connection with mismanagement of $2,956,872,622.36. In a recent development, the Nigerian Immigration Service confiscated the passports of multiple officials accused of mismanaging funds set aside for the reconstruction of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, and Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Companies. 'We received 16 names some days ago with instructions to flag them. This means they should not be allowed to travel out of the country,' an anonymous source within the Nigerian Immigration Service revealed. The repair of these facilities drew widespread attention last year after news surfaced that the government had made significant progress in restoring facilities that had been inoperable for decades. However, the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently made arrests in connection with the mismanagement of $2,956,872,622.36, which was intended to be used to restore the refineries to full operation. As per a report by the Punch, the EFCC was looking into the distribution of $656,963,938 to the Warri refinery, $740,669,600 to the Kaduna refinery, and $1,559,239,084.36 to the Port Harcourt refinery. 'Some have been arrested already, and we are still on the lookout for others. Nigerians are interested in seeing our refineries work. We are asking: where is the money, and what has happened to the refineries?' an anonymous EFCC official stated. Rehabilitation plans for Nigeria's oil refineries in recent years In August 2023, the Nigerian government disclosed that it planned to have all four of its oil refineries operational after being out of order for decades. Many assessed that the move was in response to the Dangote refinery, which at the time threatened to control a monopoly of all locally refined fuel. Prior to the inauguration of the Dangote Refinery, Nigeria, Africa's largest oil producer, imported almost all of its refined petroleum needs, owing to limited capacity and poor maintenance of its refineries. The 110,000-barrel Kaduna plant in the north, as well as three facilities in the oil-rich Niger delta, including the 125,000-barrel Warri refinery, are among four dilapidated state-owned refineries that used to produce 4450,000 barrels per day in total. The Port Harcourt refinery in 2023 was said to be undergoing a $1.5 billion makeover after Italy's Tecnimont was awarded the contract for the work. The oil ministry estimated that the renovation would take 44 months to complete. Fast forward to a year later, and the conversations had pivoted from rehabilitation to operational.
