Author: Abibat Babalola

Visa War Worsens, Nigeria Explains Stance As US Slams Tougher Measures

Abibat Babalola

The Federal Government yesterday, denied stopping the issuance of the 5-year non-immigrant multiple-entry visa for United States of American, USA, citizens, a policy the US cited as reason for the latest visa restrictions against Nigerians. This came as the US continued its tight immigration policies with the introduction of a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee targeting mostly non-immigrant visa applicants, including students, tourists and workers visas. It will be recalled that recently, several countries, including the US, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United Arab Emirates, UAE have introduced stricter…

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Nigeria Rejects US Push To Deport 300,000 Venezuelan Prisoners To Abuja

Abibat Babalola

. ‘We’re already facing significant domestic challenges. No to being a dumping ground for prisoners of Venezuelan descent being Deported by US,’ word-for-word statement by foreign affairs minister, Yusuf Tuggar     The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar has declared that Nigeria will not yield to pressure from the United States to accept Venezuelan deportees. Speaking in an interview on Thursday, Tuggar said Nigeria is already facing significant domestic challenges and cannot become a “dumping ground” for Venezuelan prisoners being deported amid the U.S. immigration crackdown. “We have enough…

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We’ve Uncovered Massive Fraud In Nigeria’s Oil And Gas Industry – EFCC

Abibat Babalola

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, on Wednesday disclosed that the agency had begun investigating the financial records of the oil and gas sector and had already uncovered “mind-boggling” levels of corruption. He revealed that the ongoing probe into the oil and gas sector is only scratching the surface of widespread fiscal malfeasance, even as he urged the National Assembly to urgently pass a law criminalising unexplained wealth. “In the last three weeks, we started a commission-wide investigation into the extractive industry, particularly…

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LASU Overtakes UNILORIN As Varsity Of First Choice

Abibat Babalola

In what marks a major shift in university admission preferences among Nigerian youths, Lagos State University (LASU) has emerged as the most sought-after institution of higher learning in the country, displacing the long-reigning University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) from the top spot. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) released the figures on Tuesday during its policy meeting in Abuja, revealing that LASU received the highest number of applications in the 2024/2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) cycle. According to the data, LASU clinched the top position with 67,328 applications, while…

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‘Reconsider That,’ Nigeria Pushes Back As US, UAE Tighten Visa Rules

Abibat Babalola

The Federal Government has expressed concern over the recent decision by the United States to impose tighter visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, describing the move as disproportionate, calling for “reconsideration in the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.” This comes just as the United Arab Emirates imposed tougher entry conditions for Nigerian travellers, banning transit visa applications entirely. READ ALSO: Heirs Energies, Renaissance Collaborate to Drive Nigeria’s Indigenous Oil, Gas Devt PSG Thrash Real Madrid 4-0, Advance To Club World Cup Final LASU Appoints Dr. Noeem Thanny As Ag. HoD,…

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UAE Stops Transit Visas, Imposes Stricter Entry Rules For Nigerians

Abibat Babalola

The United Arab Emirates has imposed tougher entry conditions for Nigerian travellers and banned transit visa applications entirely. According to new directives from Dubai immigration, Nigerians aged 18 to 45 will no longer be eligible for tourist visas unless accompanied. For those aged 45 and above, visa applicants must present a personal six-month bank statement showing a minimum monthly balance of $10,000 (or its naira equivalent). Travel agents said the new policy is expected to drastically reduce travel from Nigeria to Dubai, a top destination for business and tourism. READ…

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‘Why I’d Love To Marry Again After 5 Failed Marriages’ – Bukky Wright

Abibat Babalola

Veteran Nollywood actress, Bukky Wright, has expressed her desire to remarry if she finds the right man. The 58-year-old actress made this known during an interview with BBC Yoruba, where she opened up about her personal life, challenges abroad, and return to acting. Bukky Wright said she prays for another chance at marriage but emphasised it’s not a must. “On the issue of marriage, I’m still very much interested but that is if God has destined it. It is not a must. I am not saying other women should not…

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‘No More Five Years,’ US Downgrades Nigerians’ Visa Validity To Three Months

Abibat Babalola

The United States Department of State has announced an update to its non-immigrant visa policy for Nigerian citizens. According to a press release issued by the US Embassy in Abuja on Tuesday, “most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period.” The new visa restrictions take immediate effect. However, the embassy clarified that “those US non-immigrant visas issued before July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity.” The statement emphasised that the move was part of the Department’s global…

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97 Lawyers Line Up To Defend ADC, Mark, Aregbesola Against APC

Abibat Babalola

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has assembled a team of 97 lawyers to challenge what it describes as the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s ‘fake lawsuit’ against its interim leadership, including former Senate President David Mark and former Minister Rauf Aregbesola. The legal team, led by Barrister Mohammed Sheriff, made this known in Abuja on Tuesday, accusing the ruling APC of filing a suit using the names of individuals who are not members of the ADC. This development follows a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja between Senator Mark, who is now the…

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ADC Accuses Tinubu’s Allies Of Secret Meeting With Coalition Members To Destabilise Party

Abibat Babalola

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the President Bola Tinubu administration of orchestrating a covert plan to weaken and destabilise the opposition coalition. The party raised concerns over a secret meeting convened by some federal officials with former state chairmen and key members of the ADC’s executive committees in the north-east and north-west regions of the country. In a statement issued on Monday, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s interim national publicity secretary, said the meeting’s purpose was not related to national security or peacebuilding but aimed at intimidating and coercing…

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