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FG vows to sanction airlines bringing passengers into Nigeria without valid visas

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The Federal Government has threatened that any airline caught airlifting passengers into Nigeria without a valid entry visa, Landing, and Exit cards would be sanctioned.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stated this during a stakeholders’ engagement programme on the implementation of the E-Visa, Landing and Exit Cards on Friday in Lagos.

The Minister, who was emphatic on the Federal Government’s resolutions, vehemently said that Nigeria is not a dumping ground and that no foreigner should be allowed entry without a visa.

He added that although Nigeria was making entry more accessible with the introduction of the E-Visa, but the country would not compromise on national security.

He urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority on the enlightenment and enforcement of its oversight function as a regulator to ensure that airlines adhere to the 2025 Nigeria Visa Policy.

Tunji-Ojo further tasked airlines on national security, stating that the E-Visa was of national interest to improve border security, tourism, and sustainable economic growth.

He said, “I plead with the NCAA to regulate, that is why this meeting is a strategic collaborative effort of the ministry, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the NCAA. I can see the DG of the NCAA on seat and that is what is called collaboration.

“For the airlines, I know you are here to do business but you also have a responsibility in terms of national interest and security. Before anybody comes to Nigeria, please see their Visas, not a proof of payment or their tickets.

“It is not acceptable in the UK, US, Canada, and other climes, and it will not be acceptable in Nigeria anymore,” he added.

Speaking on the ease of applying for the E-Visa and Landing and Exit cards, Tunji-Ojo said that it was necessary for the purpose of opening Nigeria’s frontiers to investors.

He disclosed that as of May 22nd, the NIS had received a total of 5,814 applications, approved 5,671, rejected 66, and queried 62 applications since the introduction of E-Visa on May 1.

According to him, the E-Visa process will improve the database of the NIS with information on travelers.

He explained the features of the E-Visa, the Landing and Exit cards with a barcode.

“That you applied for a Nigerian visa does not mean you will have the visa, you will need to meet certain criteria for the visa to be issued” he added.

The Director-General of the NCAA, Chris Najomo in his welcome address said that the introduction of the e-Visa and the associated Landing and Exit card systems was a milestone.

Najomo said that was a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards enhancing air travel facilitation while ensuring the highest standards of aviation security and operational efficiency are maintained.

“The e-Visa showcases one of the practical ways we continually align with global best practices by complying with the ICAO provisions of Annex 9 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation – on Facilitation.

“It is, inherently designed to improve the experience of travelers, while strengthening our border control mechanisms.

“The importance of seamless inter-agency collaboration cannot be over-emphasized in a bid to ensure the effective implementation of these systems without compromising safety, security, or service delivery.

“The benefits derived from e-Visa applicants being able to complete visa applications entirely online, with processing time reduced to less than 48 hours, would have a multiplier effect.

It will showcase Nigeria as an investor- and tourist-friendly nation, invariably translating to economic growth.

”The Controller General of the NIS, Kemi Nandap in her closing remarks expressed her appreciation to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the NCAA D-G, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority, and the NIS team.

She called for more inter-agency collaborations to further strengthen the seamless implementation of the e-visa, Landing, and Exit cards innovation.

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FG Enforcing Compulsory “No Tax ID, No Bank Account Policy”

Section 8 (2) makes Tax ID mandatory for any person to operate a bank account or get involved in insurance, stocks or allied services in the country, once the Act comes into force from January 1, 2026.

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The Federal Government is making it compulsory for all taxable Nigerians to obtain a compulsory Taxpayer Identification (Tax ID) when the new tax Acts come into force in January 2026.

The policy will be enforced by the Nigeria Revenue Service (formerly Federal Inland Revenue Services).

Ohibaba.com gathered that the Tax ID is contained in the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, Part II Section 4 of the legislation which was recently signed by President Bola Tinubu.

It says: “Every Taxable person shall register with the relevant Tax Authority and obtain a Taxpayer Identification Card (Tax ID) for the purpose of compliance with tax obligations.

“Every ministry, department or agency of the federal, State or Local government shall register and obtain a Tax ID.”

It said that Section 6 (1) of the Act also requires Non-resident persons who supply taxable goods and services to any person in Nigeria to obtain Tax ID, as they shall be obligated to pay tax in Nigeria.

Section 7 (3) empowers the relevant tax authority to issue Tax ID to a person who should have applied for an ID but failed to do so.

The relevant tax authority is also empowered to refuse to issue a Tax ID to an applicant based on information available to it.

In such a case, the authority shall inform the applicant of its decision within five working days.

Section 8 (1) (c) makes Tax ID a condition for entering into any contract with the Federal and State governments.

Section 8 (2) makes Tax ID mandatory for any person to operate a bank account or get involved in insurance, stocks or allied services in the country, once the Act comes into force from January 1, 2026.

The Act, however, provides an allowance to suspend or deregister the Tax ID, if the holder ceases to undertake trade or business, either temporarily or permanently.

Section 10 (1) provides, “Where a taxable person temporarily ceases to carry on a trade or business in Nigeria, the taxable person shall notify the relevant tax authority of its intention to suspend its registration for tax purposes within 30 days of such temporary cessation of trade or business.(2)

“The Tax authority shall classify the Tax ID as ‘dormant’ and place it on suspension.

(3) “Where a taxable person permanently ceases to carry on trade or business in Nigeria, the taxable person shall notify the relevant tax authority of its intention to deregister for tax purposes within 30 days of such cessation of trade or business.

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Nigeria to host Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2027

With Lagos preparing to welcome the world in 2027, the IATF mission continues its quest to deepen trade, unlock investment, and connect Africa to itself and the world at large.

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• IATF 2025 opening ceremony , 4 September, Algiers.

Nigeria has been officially picked to host the 2027 edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF).

This was announced during the opening ceremony on Thursday in Algiers, with calls for African countries to accelerate growth in Intra-African trade and boost economic integration.

At the event, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, received the IATF flag on behalf of the country as Lagos was confirmed host city for the continental fair in 2027.

The Chairman of the IATF Advisory Council and former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said, “Since its inception, the IATF has rotated across our continent, leaving its unique legacy and improving with each host nation.

“Today we continue the proud tradition by announcing the country that will host IATF2027.

“With Lagos preparing to welcome the world in 2027, the IATF mission continues its quest to deepen trade, unlock investment, and connect Africa to itself and the world at large.

Organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the AfCFTA Secretariat, the IATF brings together continental and global stakeholders to showcase goods and services, facilitates direct engagement and exchange between businesses and between businesses and government entities.

The fair was established to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement which aims to create a single market for goods and services across Africa.

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OPSN Faults Repeated Summons of Private Companies by National Assembly

OPSN members comprise the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture(NACCIMA), Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists(NASS), and Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises(NASME).

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The Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) has expressed deep concerns over incessant invitations, summons by the committee of the National Assembly on the activities of private companies.

OPSN members comprise the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture(NACCIMA), Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists(NASS), and Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises(NASME).

The Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees(AFBTE) and other 25 sectoral employers ’ associations also decried this situation.

The concern was conveyed through an open letter sent to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, which was published on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

The group said that the practice has continued unhindered despite judicial pronouncements, including a pending appeal before the Supreme Court, which affirms that the powers conferred on the National Assembly in line with sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution do not extend oversight powers to private companies.

They cite judicial precedents in the case of DHL International Nigeria Limited vs Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ORS (FHC/ABJ/CS/261/2018).

The court unequivocally held that private companies do not fall within the category of persons contemplated by sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution.

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