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Fed Govt Targets 96-Hour Timeline For Passport Issuance

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The Federal Government yesterday unveiled technologically driven reforms for international passport issuance for its citizens by setting a 96 hours processing timeline, insisting that the production of the travel document should not be seen as a privilege, but a fundamental right of its nationals.

Besides the revolutionary timeline, the government said, it will effective February 2024 start the implementation of Electronic Gates at the Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu international airports to facilitate the entrance of Nigerians into the country without submitting themselves to clearance relying only on Advanced Passenger Information for their pre- profiling as it is practiced in other countries.

But, the government put a caveat : ”only persons of interest ” – will have to go through the route of bio-metric checking and counter processing.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji- Ojo disclosed this during the handing over and grand opening of the Remodeled Clearance Area of the E- Arival Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport ( MMIA), Lagos.

The Minister said working with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, the government will spare no effort to scale up technology in assisting Nigerians get their travel documents with ease , saying the era of backlog of passports at Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS), offices is now a thing of the past.

He said effective this month, the only reason Nigerians may have to visit NIS Passport Offices is to undergo bio- metric fingerprints.

Ojo said the Tinubu administration is not resting on its oars to ensure Nigerians get a fair deal, in the way and manner they are treated trying to get their travel documents.

He said women, who desire to effect a change of their names on account of marriage; do not need henceforth to travel thousands of kilometres and subject themselves to avoidable hassles going to Abuja to achieve such an objective.

The minister said as part of the reforms in the Renewed Hope Agenda Of the Tinubu administration, such Nigerians will henceforth only make an application and submit supporting documents, which will be investigated by personnel of NIS and approval sent to the nearest Immigration office for them to collect their international passport.

While lauding the efforts of the NIS in deepening partnership to achieve the improved airport facilitation equipment, Ojo said the Tinubu administration will continue to extend its hands to the private sector to assist in the development/ improvement of infrastructure that will improve travel experience and put Nigeria in the league of global players.

Significantly, the Minister urged Immigration personnel to be alive to their responsibilities, urging them to go beyond issuance of travel documents and visas to consolidate efforts to protect the nation’s borders.

As the lead agency in charge of border management and security, Ojo urged NIS personnel to ramp up efforts in tackling porous borders.

Speaking at the Zone A Headquarters of the NIS, in Ikeja GRA, where he commissioned the Remodeled Gate/Guard House and other facilities, the minister lauded personnel of the Service who have equipped him with knowledge to discharge his duties.

Ojo praised the personnel for their gallantry in discharging their border management responsibilities.

He expressed the gratitude of the Federal Government to private sector players, who have assisted with facilities, saying the government will continue to deepen such ties in the spirit of collaboration for national development.

He charged NIS personnel not to lower the bar in the task to foster improved internal security , which he said remains central to the government as it positions Nigeria to take its rightful place in the global arena.

He charged the NIS to pursue an aggressive maintenance policy of the assets / critical infrastructure placed in its hands, urging them to treat them with affection.

The Minister of Interior challenged the Service to put in place a mechanism to address the lack of uniformity in the clothing used as uniforms.

Inability to address the challenge, he said could encourage impersonation , while urging NIS personnel as image makers at the country’s numerous borders to treat Nigerians and foreigners with respect.

While commending the efforts of partners that assisted in improving infrastructure at the Lagos Airport and Zone A Headquarters, newly confirmed Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI) of NIS, Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju said collaboration will improve efficiency in service delivery.

Coordinator of Zone A Headquarters , Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACG), Wale Sadiq urged the CGI to provide operational facilities, including vehicles for the unit.

He enumerated the strides thus far achieved in the Zone A Headquarters, to include regular human capacity development programmes.

On her part, Comptroller of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Adeola Adesokan said the remodeled facility at the Lagos Airport will not only elevate the entire travel experience , by improving efficiency, bringing about faster processing time and seamless clearance, it will eliminate long queues for arriving passengers

She said : ” We now have dedicated clearance counters for persons with reduced mobility, senior citizens, members of the diplomatic corp.

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

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