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Folarin Kehinde

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BREAKING: FG hikes passport fees by 100%

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced an upward review of Nigerian Standard Passport fees by 100 per cent, effective from September 1, 2025.

According to a statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, ACI AS Akinlabi, the adjustment is aimed at maintaining the quality and integrity of the Nigerian passport.

Under the new rates, applications made in Nigeria will cost N100,000 for a 32-page passport with five-year validity and ₦200,000 for a 64-page passport with 10-year validity.

However, passport fees for Nigerians in the diaspora remain unchanged at $150 for the 32-page with five-year validity and $230 for the 64-page with 10-year validity.

The statement reads, “In a bid to uphold the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Passport, the Nigeria Immigration Service hereby announces an upward review of Nigerian Standard Passport fees, set to take effect on 1st September, 2025.

“The review which only affect Passport Application fees made in Nigeria, now set a new fee thresholds for 32-page with 5-year validity at N100,000 and 64-page with 10-year validity at N200,000.

“Meanwhile, Nigerian Passport Application fees made by Nigerians in diaspora remain unchanged at $150 for 32-page with 5-year validity and $230 for 64-page with 10-year validity.

“The Service reiterates its commitment to balancing quality service delivery with the need to ensure Passport services are accessible to all Nigerians.

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Africa & World

Equatorial Guinea president’s son convicted for selling national plane

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A court in Equatorial Guinea convicted a son of the country’s president for illegally selling off a plane belonging to the national airline, a court official said.

The judge ruled on Tuesday that Ruslan Obiang Nsue, one of the sons of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, must serve six years in jail unless he compensates the state for the missing aircraft, Supreme Court press director Hilario Mitogo told reporters in a WhatsApp message.

The court convicted Obiang Nsue, 50, a former director of national carrier Ceiba Intercontinental, of selling the ATR 72-500 plane to a Spanish company and pocketing the cash.

He was placed under house arrest in 2023 on the order of his half-brother, the country’s vice-president, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, also a son of the president.

Mitogo said the court ruled that Obiang Nsue could avoid jail if he paid around $255,000 to the airline, along with damages and a fine to the state.

The court acquitted him on separate charges of embezzlement and abuse of office.

Obiang Nsue has also served as secretary of state for sports and youth in the oil-rich central African state, ruled for the past 46 years by his father, 83.

In a separate case targeting his half-brother, a French court handed Obiang Mangue a suspended jail sentence and a $35-million fine in July 2021 after convicting him of embezzling public funds.

 

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Headlines

Tinubu arrives in Abuja after two-week state visits to Japan, Brazil

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has arrived Abuja, the nation’s capital, following his about two-week diplomatic visit to Japan and Brazil.

A statement by his Senior Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the president arrived at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport Abuja, at exactly 1.30am, on Thursday morning and was received by top government officials.

LEADING REPORTERS reports that Tinubu first left Abuja for Japan to attend the ninth edition of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, TICAD9.

The President then proceeded to Brazil with the view to boosting relations between Nigeria and Brazil.

During his visit to Brazil, both countries signed about five Memorandum of Understanding MoU, covering several areas, including energy, agriculture and security.

According to the statement, the presidential jet took off from Brasília International Airport Air Force Base at 12:57 pm (local time).

At the airport to bid farewell to the president were the Secretary for Africa and the Middle East, Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte and the Ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria, Carlos José Areias Moreno Garcete.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu- Ojukwu and other government officials were also at the airport.

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Headlines

Tinubu bans Raw Shea Nuts Export

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed an immediate suspension of the export of raw shea nuts from Nigeria.

The decision follows the recent commissioning of Africa’s largest shea butter processing facility in Niger State, earlier in the month.

The plant, located at Kudu in Mokwa Local Government Area, was established by Salid Agriculture Nigeria Limited with an annual production capacity of 30,000 metric tons.

Chief Executive Officer of Salid Agriculture, Ali Saidu, had disclosed that the company plans to expand operations to 400 metric tons per day, with the long-term vision of establishing a state-of-the-art shea butter refinery.Japan trip

More to follow…

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Headlines

Chaos as Abuja-Kaduna Train Derails, Passengers Trapped

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Passengers are currently trapped after a Kaduna-bound train from Abuja went off track and fell just after Kubwa station.

The incident has triggered panic with railway officials are making efforts to remedy the situation.

As at the time of filling this report, no government authority has made any comment regarding the situation.

Details loading…

 

 

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Headlines

No more corruption in Nigeria – Tinubu tells Brazilian president

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Brazilian investors that Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms are producing measurable results, declaring that corruption has been curbed since he assumed office.

Tinubu gave the assurance on Monday during a meeting with ministers from both countries and members of the Brazil Business Group, where he reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to deepen cooperation in technology transfer, food security, manufacturing, and renewable energy.

He described Nigeria as a “vast, untapped market full of opportunities for Brazilian companies,” stressing that his administration is committed to creating a business-friendly environment.

Acknowledging the challenges that accompanied the initial phase of reforms, the president said: “It was initially painful, but today the result is blossoming.”

His words, “The reform that I have embarked upon since I took over in Nigeria has been very impactful. I can beat my chest for that,” Tinubu said.

“It was initially painful, but today the result is blossoming. It is getting clearer to the people.”

“We have more money in the economy, no more corruption. We have the governor of the Central Bank here.

“You don’t have to know him before you get the foreign exchange that you need. The speculators are out in our currency market. The door is open for businesses — easy in, easy out,” he added.

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Headlines

BREAKING: Japan denies special visa category for Nigerians in Kisarazu ‘Hometown’ tag

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Japan has dismissed claims that it plans to introduce a special visa category for Nigerians seeking to relocate to Kisarazu, the city it recently designated as Nigeria’s official “hometown.”Japan trip

At the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama last week, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) unveiled the ‘JICA Africa Hometown’ initiative aimed at strengthening ties between African nations and Japanese local government.

Under the scheme, four Japanese cities were paired with four African countries: Kisarazu with Nigeria, Nagai with Tanzania, Sanjo with Ghana, and Imabari with Mozambique.

The Foreign Ministry said Monday that Tokyo has “no plans to take measures to promote the acceptance of immigrants or issue special visas for residents of African countries.”

“There have been reports and statements both domestically and internationally that contain information contrary to the facts,” the ministry said in a statement, stressing that the government-linked aid agency, known as JICA, only plans to promote exchanges through various activities.

 

 

More to follow…

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Headlines

2027: PDP zones presidential ticket to South

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Peoples Democratic Party’s 102nd National Executive Committee meeting has resolved to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South while retaining the existing National Working Committee zoning formula for the November elective convention.

Addressing journalists after the NEC meeting in Abuja on Monday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed that the decision followed the presentation of a report by the Zoning Committee chaired by Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri.

He added that the NEC also expressed satisfaction with the level of preparations for the November convention.

Ologunagba stated, ” NEC recommended that the North and South should retain their current NWC positions.

“NEC also resolved that since the National Chairman of the party is zoned to the North, the PDP 2027 Presidential ticket is hereby zoned to the South.”

Details shortly….

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Tunji Alausa
Headlines

FG shuts 22 illegal tertiary institutions

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Government (FG) has intensified its clampdown on illegal tertiary institutions, shutting down 22 unapproved Colleges of Education across the country.

The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), which carried out the exercise, said the closures were part of its ongoing campaign against unaccredited schools.

“The NCCE identified and shut down 22 illegal Colleges of Education operating across the country,” the Commission stated.

It added that the process also involved “personnel audit, financial monitoring in all the 21 federal colleges of education.”

Tribune Online reports that President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive to key regulatory agencies the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the NCCE to rid the country of unapproved and illegal tertiary institutions undermining the education system.

Speaking at the 14th convocation of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja, Tinubu ordered the agencies to act decisively against what he described as “certificate millers” eroding the credibility of Nigeria’s academic sector.

Tinubu, represented by the Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Rakiya Ilyasu, stressed that the integrity of Nigeria’s academic system must not be compromised.

“At this juncture, it has become imperative to reiterate that this administration remains committed to strengthening the integration of all agencies involved in the administration of education to enhance efficiency and quality,” the President said.

He added, “The National Youth Service Corps, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, the National Universities Commission, the National Board for Technical Education and the National Commission for Colleges of Education are working in alignment to improve the quality of education and ensure that cases of forgery and unrecognised institutions both within and outside the country have no place in our education ecosystem.

 

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Uncategorized

Lere Olayinka Backs NIN, ID Checks for Social Media Access

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called for stricter regulations on social media usage.

In a terse statement via his X handle on Monday, August 25, Olayinka proposed that a National Identification Number (NIN), and a valid ID such as an international passport, voter’s card, or driver’s license, should be required to create and manage social media accounts.

The statement reads: “NIN, Valid Identity Card (International Passport, Voter’s Card, Driver’s Licence). These two should be made compulsory to open and operate social media accounts.”

“This proposal seeks to reduce misinformation and increase online accountability.”. he added.

 

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