Economy
FG Affirms Strengthened Migration Framework To Support National Security, Investment Facilitation
FG Affirms Strengthened Migration Framework To Support National Security, Investment Facilitation
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s migration management framework through targeted reforms aimed at enhancing national security, improving service delivery, and facilitating investment.
The Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known while receiving the Honourable Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu OFR, and his delegation on Thursday, on a courtesy visit at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
The Minister emphasized that effective collaboration among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) is critical to achieving government policy objectives, particularly in areas requiring coordinated implementation. He noted that the Commission plays a strategic role in promoting institutional alignment and supporting revenue optimization across government.
Highlighting ongoing reforms, the Minister stated: “The Ministry is committed to repositioning Nigeria’s migration system to be more efficient, transparent, and supportive of economic activities, while maintaining the highest standards of national security.”
He disclosed that the Ministry has introduced an electronic visa system to address challenges associated with visa processing and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness as an investment destination. The system enables end-to-end digital processing, including the issuance of secure, QR-coded visas, thereby reducing processing timelines and administrative bottlenecks.
The Minister further revealed the deployment of an integrated digital platform for administering the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) and expatriate quota system. According to him, the platform facilitates real-time data exchange with the Nigeria Immigration Service, eliminates unauthorized intermediaries, and enhances transparency and accountability in application processing. He added that the initiative is already delivering improvements in compliance and operational efficiency.
He added that issues of citizenship are strictly regulated by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, whereas investor-friendly residency options may be pursued within the framework of existing laws.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, OFR, highlighted the Commission’s constitutional mandate to ensure that all revenues due to the Federation are properly collected and distributed in line with existing laws. He also noted its responsibility for determining remuneration for political office holders and judicial officers, as well as periodically reviewing the revenue allocation formula for the three tiers of government.
FG Affirms Strengthened Migration Framework
The Chairman commended the Ministry of Interior for its contributions to improved revenue inflows and reaffirmed the Commission’s role in monitoring revenue-generating agencies, including NNPC, NUPRC, the Nigeria Customs Service, and the solid minerals sector, to ensure accurate accounting and remittance to the Federation Account.
Speaking further on the purpose of the visit, the Chairman of the Investment Monitoring Committee of the Commission and Federal Commissioner representing Anambra State, Hon. Enefe Ekene, stated that their visit aimed to seek a strategic alliance with the Ministry of Interior in the area of citizenship by investment and to safeguard the solid minerals sector. He added that the Committee’s mandate includes overseeing government investments and initiatives designed to attract foreign direct investment into Nigeria.
E-Signed
Mary Ali (Mrs)
Head, Press and Public Relations
16th April, 2026
FG Declares PASGA Exercise A Major Success, Sets Path For A Future-Ready Public Service
The Federal Government has declared the Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis (PASGA) exercise at the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation a resounding success, marking a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to reposition the public service for efficiency, transparency, and digital transformation.
The high-level presentation, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, brought together senior government officials, representatives from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and consultants, to review key findings and outline strategic pathways for institutional reform.
Presenting the report, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Stransform Ltd, Offiong Archibong, stated that the PASGA project has successfully achieved its core objectives through a combination of personnel audits, stakeholder engagements, and data-driven assessments designed to strengthen workforce structure and enhance service delivery.
She explained that the exercise was designed “to present key findings, receive feedback, and discuss next steps,” adding that the process covered extensive field verification across departments and state-linked offices to ensure accuracy and credibility of data.
She stressed that the PASGA exercise provides more than just diagnostics, stating that “the idea is to build an agile, future-ready workforce… not just for what you need now, but for what you need tomorrow.”
On institutional sustainability, she emphasised the urgency of structured succession planning and knowledge transfer, warning that “we are advocating that you don’t let people just exit like that… these are the foundation of knowledge within the system, and when they leave, they always leave a gap.”
Archibong further identified critical capacity gaps in strategic communication, digital content development, records management, and data analytics, noting that strengthening these areas is essential to improving national narrative management and governance effectiveness.
She also pointed to systemic challenges rather than individual shortcomings, stating that “these skills deficits are not individual failure; they reflect systemic design challenges in role specification, training, governance, recruitment strategy, and performance management.”
Federal Government
Speaking on gender representation, she commended the Ministry’s workforce composition, describing it as a positive benchmark, noting that “this is the first ministry we have seen with this kind of gender representation… 56 per cent are women, and we are very proud of it.”
In his remarks on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, the Director, Publication, Production and Documentary, Mr Okunnu Ibidapo, acknowledged the significance of the PASGA findings and commended the consulting team for a thorough and insightful exercise. He noted that the report provides a clear direction for strengthening institutional performance and assured that the Ministry will carefully review the recommendations with a view to full implementation.
Suleiman Haruna, PhD, mnipr
Director, Public Relations and Protocol
Thursday, 16 April, 2026
Nigeria Open To More Investment In Offshore Oil And Gas Sector
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has boosted investor confidence in Nigeria, expressing optimism that reforms under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda are driving a steady rise in Foreign Direct Investment, particularly in offshore oil and gas exploration.
The Minister shared this optimism today while receiving Mr. Jagir Baxi on a working visit. Mr. Baxi is the newly appointed Chairman, Managing Director, and Lead Country Manager of ExxonMobil Nigeria and its affiliates — Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo stated: “We can increase our production. I sincerely believe we can do more than we are currently doing in oil exploration. We need more investment from ExxonMobil. Investors require the right policies, as well as strategic partnerships and alliances.”
He assured the ExxonMobil management team of the Federal Government’s unwavering support, particularly from the Ministry of Interior.
The Minister commended ExxonMobil and its affiliates for their cutting-edge initiatives in developing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, especially in offshore exploration. He also expressed appreciation to the company for its sustained investment and commitment to the Nigerian economy.
According to verified statistics, ExxonMobil and its affiliates have invested over $3.5 billion in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Earlier, Mr. Jagir Baxi commended the Minister’s reform-driven leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s internal security, immigration, emergency management, and correctional services. He reaffirmed that ExxonMobil will continue to invest in Nigeria, with a focus on deep-water resources.
Nigeria Open To More Investment In Offshore Oil And Gas Sector
Highlighting the company’s over 70-year presence in Nigeria, Mr. Baxi cited the Erha offshore oil and gas platform as a flagship project delivering significant value to the country. He noted that the platform has generated over $1 billion in royalties, $22 billion in taxes, and $300 million in levies for the Nigerian economy.
E-Signed
Mary Ali (Mrs)
Head, Press and Public Relations
16th April 2026
Mamman Fails To File Final Written Address In Alleged N33.8b Fraud
Proceedings were stalled in the trial of the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman on Thursday, April 16, 2026 as he could not file his final written address before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
Mamman is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a 12-count charge, bordering on money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73 (Thirty-three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Seventy-three Kobo).
EFCC
At Thursday’s proceeding which was for adoption of final written addresses, Mamman through his counsel Femi Atteh, SAN, acknowledged the receipt of the final written address of the prosecution but drew the court’s attention to his motion filed on April 1, 2026 seeking for extension of time to enable him file his own final written address. With no objection from the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the court obliged him.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter till April 23, 2026 for adoption of final written addresses.
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