L-R: Chief Executive Officer, TIME, Jessica Sibley, President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations (DIL), Fatima Aliko Dangote and Managing Director/CEO, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, attending TIME100 Impact Dinner, at One World Observatory in New York City.

The Chairman of Aliko Dangote Foundation, Aliko Dangote, has pledged to invest greater funds in the upliftment of vulnerable populations across Nigeria and Africa, as part of his philanthropic efforts to give back to the society.

Dangote spoke on the sidelines of the TIME100 Impact Dinner held at ASPIRE at the One World Observatory in New York City, USA.

The renowned industrialist was named among the top 100 philanthropists listed in an inaugural list released by TIME Magazine on 22 May, alongside other global personalities such as Michael Bloomberg, football icon David Beckham, NBA star Stephen Curry, Melinda Gates and Oprah Winfrey.

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.

•FCTA minister, Nyesom Wike

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will, from Monday, next week, begin to take possession of the 4,794 properties revoked over non-payment of Ground Rent, for between 10 and 43 years.

These 4,794 properties were among the total of 8,375 land titles on which Ground Rent was not paid from one year to 43 years.

This was made known during a press briefing on Friday by the FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze and Director Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima.

They said; “Ownership of the revoked 4,794 properties in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama and Guzape districts, had already reverted to the FCTA, and as from Monday, next week, the government will begin to exercise its rights of ownership on the affected landed properties.

“As usual, this will be done without consideration as to ownership of the affected landed properties. It will be purely in line with extant laws and regulations guiding the process.”

The Director of Development Control, explained that affected properties will be sealed up and access to them restricted as from Monday.

He said the FCTA will decide what to do with the affected properties in due course.