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UK made over N68bn off Nigerian visa applicants between 2023-2024

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UK made over N68bn – Between June 2023 and…

Between June 2023 and the same month in 2024, the British government earned over N68 billion from processing visas for Nigerian applicants.

Marc Owen, the Director of Visa, Status, and Information Services at the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration made this known at the launch of Africa’s biggest UK visa application centre (VAC) in Lagos on Thursday, November 28, 2024.

Owen revealed that no fewer than 225,000 visa applications from Nigeria were processed in the period under review.

“In the year to June 2024, we processed more than 225k UK visas for Nigerian nationals across all categories and this new partnership demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring our visa services are accessible, efficient and meet the needs of all applicants,” Owen was quoted as saying by the British High Commission in Lagos.

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“I’m delighted to be here in person as we celebrate this important moment together with our customers and partners.”

Though the Director didn’t specify if certain classes of visas had more applicants, a standard UK visitor visa with six months duration costs $150.

In effect, the UK made over $34 million from the 225,000 Nigerian applicants. When converted to naira using the current exchange rate, the money would amount to approximately N68 billion.

Visa application fees are non-refundable whether or not the process turns out successful.

UK made over N68bn

Nigeria has higher rejection rates

According to data from the British government earlier in the year, Nigeria ranked among five countries that experienced a rise in study visa rejection rates in the second half of 2023.

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The Q4 2022 report revealed that one in 31 applicants from the West African country was rejected while in Q2 2023, about one in eight were declined.

Other countries with high UK visa rejection rates include Vietnam, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia, although as smaller accruals, with India the only country where declined application numbers trumped Nigeria’s.

The data further showed that visa approvals to Nigerians were down by 63% compared to the last three months of 2022.

The increase in rejections came as a result of tightened visa restrictions for immigrants by the UK authorities.

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Bandits abduct Zamfara LG vice chairman and three others

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Bandits have abducted the Vice Chairman of Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Hon. Bala Muhammad Majidadi. Majidadi was abducted along with three other person on Monday evening, February 24, 2025. The incident occurred while the victims were traveling from Bukkuyum to Gusau, the state capital. Bukkuyum LG is one of the areas in Zamfara State frequently targeted by bandits, alongside Shinkafi, Maradun, Zurmi, Anka, Talatar Mafara and Tsafe LGAs. The post Bandits abduct Zamfara LG vice chairman and three others appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.


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PETER ODILI: Statesman, humanitarian

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Peter Odili

Born on August 15, 1948, in Ndoni, Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, received his early education in St. Michael’s School Oguta, Sacred Heart School Onitsha, and Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha between 1953 and 1967. He was Senior Prefect and College Captain in CKC Onitsha in 1967. While at CKC, he excelled not only in academics, but also in sports- representing the school in soccer, high jump, long jump, and lawn tennis.

After the Nigerian Civil War, he proceeded to the University of Nigeria Nsukka and Enugu Campus in 1970, and served as Speaker of the Medical Students Association of the University in 1972 and President, League of Human Affiliates (Students Humanitarian Association) between 1972 and 1974. He graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree in 1977. In 1985 he attained a degree in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.

He commenced his medical practice first as a House Officer with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, and Senior House Officer between 1977 and 1979. After his stint as a Senior House Officer, he relocated to Port Harcourt with his wife and infant daughter and secured a job as Staff Physician at the Medical Consultation Centre in Port Harcourt.

Two years later, he set up his private hospital – PAMO Clinics and served first as Resident Clinician, and subsequently as Consultant in Tropical Medicine and Venereology, Clinical Director and then Medical Director following its rapid expansion to a hospital. In 1994, he ventured into agriculture with the setting up of RockMay Farms and Industries Ltd.

Between 1981 and 1982, he served as Secretary of the Nigerian Medical association, Rivers State Branch; and Secretary, Association of Private Medical Practitioners Association, Rivers State between 1985 and 1987. Other roles he played, included Member, Medical Advisory Council Rivers State Ministry of Health; President University of Nigeria Alumni Association, Port Harcourt and National Vice President, University of Nigeria Alumni Association between 1985 and 1988.

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He was appointed to the Board of Directors of Michelin Nigeria Limited and served on the board for three years, between 1987 and 1989. He was elected as a member and leader of the Rivers State delegates at the of the Constituent Assembly of 1988 – 1989. This heralded his foray into active politics, and in 1992 he was elected Deputy Governor of Old Rivers State; a position in which he served until the coup of November 1993. He was once again elected as Delegate and Leader of the Rivers State Delegates in the National Constitutional Conference of 1994 1995, and served as the Chairman of the Committee on Creation of States and Local Government Areas at the Conference.

In furtherance of his commitment to serve humanity, he played active politics and served in leadership positions as National Vice Chairman (South-South), Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN); Founder and Leader, Rivers Front Movement; and National Chairman, People’s Democratic Party of Nigeria (PDP) Fund-Raising Committee. He chaired the Presidential Committee on Housing and Urban Renewal in 2001 and was President of the Swimming Federation of Nigeria between 2001 and 2005.

He served as the 13th Executive Governor of Rivers State between 1999 and 2007, and in 2014 was a delegate at the National Conference. A statesman, humanitarian and avid sportsman, his hobbies and interests include reading, writing, sports and music. Odili once contested for the presidency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The post PETER ODILI: Statesman, humanitarian appeared first on Vanguard News.

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Visa-on-arrival: PEBEC assures investors amid policy uncertainty

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The Director General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, has reassured foreign investors that concerns over the Nigerian government’s decision to cancel the Visa-On-Arrival (VOA) policy will be addressed.

The Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced over the weekend that the VOA policy would be discontinued, citing security risks and sustainability challenges.

This move has raised concerns among business stakeholders who rely on the initiative to access Nigeria without prior visa arrangements.

READ ALSO: NASS react as Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo proposes ₦6bn for 2025

In a statement on Monday, February 24, Princess Audu acknowledged the anxiety among foreign investors but assured that PEBEC is actively engaging with the government to find a workable solution.

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“We understand the anxiety this has caused among the foreign community and would like to assure all stakeholders that PEBEC is actively engaging with the Minister of Interior to find a solution,” Audu stated.

She emphasised that the VOA policy has played a crucial role in promoting trade, tourism, and investment in Nigeria, and expressed optimism that a revised system could balance security concerns with business interests.

READ ALSO: Nigerian visa applications to go fully online before March 1

“Our primary objective is to strengthen security around the VOA process while maintaining the policy, which has been instrumental in attracting investments,” she added.

The Minister of Interior disclosed that the VOA policy would be replaced with landing and exit cards, requiring visitors to pre-fill forms before entering and leaving Nigeria.

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Despite the uncertainty, PEBEC has urged the foreign business community to remain confident in Nigeria’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment.


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