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Prime Minister: Nigerian, Other Refugees Will Have To Earn Right To Stay In UK

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Nigerian Asylum Seekers

Prime Minister: Nigerian, Other Refugees Will Have To Earn Right To Stay In UK

Prime Minister: Nigerian, other refugees will have to earn right to stay in UK. New applications to the existing refugee family reunion route have been suspended since September.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that there will be no ‘golden ticket’ to settling in the United Kingdom under plans to require refugees to earn their right to stay in the country in the long term.

Mr Starmer said that the government plans to end automatic family union rights for those granted asylum in the UK and change the requirements for long-term settlement.
New applications to the existing refugee family reunion route have been suspended since September.

The prime minister will hold talks on the plans and how European countries can work together to tackle illegal migration at the European Political Community (EPC) summit on Thursday.

Mr Starmer said, “I believe that if you want to come to the UK, you should contribute to our society. That is the tolerant and fair approach to migration that our communities are built on, but the current system is not fit for purpose.

“That is why we’re making fundamental changes to what those granted asylum are afforded in the UK. Settlement must be earned by contributing to our country, not by paying a people smuggler to cross the Channel in a boat.”

He said the UK would continue to welcome genuine refugees fleeing persecution, but must also address the pull factors driving illegal small boat crossings.

“There will be no golden ticket to settling in the UK; people will have to earn it,” he added.

He will also announce a new partnership to tackle the causes of migration upstream in Western Balkan countries in a meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
The plan, backed by up to £3 million ($4 million), will include encouraging people to stay in the region and take up jobs there.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will outline reforms in full later this autumn, which will see refugees face a longer route to resettlement.
The reform will require them to contribute to the UK, and they will not have the automatic right to bring their families to join them.
Refugees will still be entitled to core protection and not be returned home under the changes, the government says, but a new, longer route to settlement requiring them to contribute, replacing the current five years, will apply.
The home secretary said earlier this week at the Labour Party conference that tougher conditions would be introduced to secure indefinite leave to remain.

Migrants will need to be in work, not on benefits, have a high standard of English and have no criminal record.

They will also need to reach a certain level of national insurance contributions and contribute, for example, by working in their local community.

The Refugee Council warned that stopping families from reuniting would push more people to come to the UK using smugglers and said family reunion visas overwhelmingly support women and children.

Jon Featonby, chief policy analyst at the Refugee Council, said, “These unworkable policies have been promised before, and we know that they do not have any impact on the number of small boats. The previous government tried and failed to put people off taking risky journeys by reducing the rights of refugees once they were in the UK, restricting both family reunion and settlement.

Nigerian Asylum Seekers

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“This approach didn’t work then, and there is no evidence to suggest it will work now. It will, however, succeed in damaging integration, making refugees feel unsafe and forcing children to grow up without their parents. In reality, restricting family reunion only pushes more desperate people into the arms of smugglers in an effort to reunite with their loved ones.”

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philip called the changes a “gimmick” and said Starmer should repeal the Human Rights Act for immigration matters as the Conservatives have proposed.

He said, “Tweaking family rules is another Starmer gimmick that will make no difference whatsoever, just like his smash the gangs’ gimmick and his 11,000 in, one out gimmick.”

The number of migrant arrivals on small boats has surpassed 34,000 in 2025 so far, marking a record for this point in the year since data on Channel crossings began to be reported in 2018.

Economy

FG Inaugurates PenCom Board, Tasks Members On Protection Of Pension Assets

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PenCom

FG Inaugurates PenCom Board, Tasks Members On Protection Of Pension Assets

The Federal Government has inaugurated the Board of the National Pension Commission, reinforcing its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of over ₦28 trillion in pension assets.

Speaking at the ceremony, the SGF, Senator (Dr.) George Akume, charged members to uphold strong corporate governance while maintaining a clear boundary between oversight and management.

PenCom

PenCom

The Board, led by Chairman Agbaje Opeyemi Olukayode, pledged to safeguard contributors’ funds and support national development, while the Director-General Omolola Oloworaran reaffirmed commitment to collaboration in delivering secure and timely retirement benefits for Nigerians.

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SEC Sign MoU With NYSC To Fight Ponzi Schemes

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SEC Warns Again Violation

SEC Sign MoU With NYSC To Fight Ponzi Schemes

SEC sign MoU with NYSC to fight Ponzi schemes. The initiative was designed to sensitise young Nigerians to the risks of fraudulent investment schemes and promote sound, legitimate investment practices.

The Securities and Exchange Commission and National Youth Service Corps have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a community development service group focused on investment education for corps members.

The initiative was designed to sensitise young Nigerians to the risks of fraudulent investment schemes and promote sound, legitimate investment practices.

According to a statement by the SEC on Sunday, the MoU was recently signed by its director-general, Emomotimi Agama and NYSC director-general, Olakunle Nafiu.

It was also meant to promote financial literacy and sound investment habits among young Nigerians.

In addition, the collaboration will help equip corps members with essential knowledge and skills to identify and avoid Ponzi schemes and other illegal investment practices.

It will also help enhance public awareness campaigns against illegal financial schemes across all LGAs in the country, among other objectives.

“Based on the scope of the collaboration, SEC shall develop and provide relevant and up-to-date educational content, materials, and training modules on capital market operations, safe investment practices, and the identification and avoidance of Ponzi schemes.

“SEC will also be responsible for the content, resources and funding of training sessions for selected corps members and NYSC supervisors who will serve as trainers and facilitators in their respective communities.

SEC Warns Again Violation

SEC

“On its part, the NYSC shall facilitate the integration of anti-Ponzi scheme education into its Education and Enlightenment CDS programme. This may involve dedicated sessions, workshops, or awareness campaigns during orientation camps and throughout the service year,” said the statement.

The parties shall collaborate on joint awareness campaigns, utilising various channels and platforms, including social media, traditional media, and community outreach, to disseminate information on safe investment and expose fraudulent schemes.

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Economy

Persistent Grid Collapse, Weak Power Supply Worsening Economic Hardship: Oyintiloye

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DisCos Generate

Persistent Grid Collapse, Weak Power Supply Worsening Economic Hardship: Oyintiloye

Speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, Oyintiloye said the situation had continued to deteriorate despite assurances and reforms introduced by authorities.

He described unreliable electricity as a major setback to the federal government’s reforms in the power sector.

He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene, noting that poor power supply is worsening economic hardship across the country.

Oyintiloye said the poor supply has compounded the effects of the current heatwave, making living conditions more difficult for many Nigerians.

The former lawmaker called for the constitution of a panel to investigate recurring national grid collapses and persistent supply challenges despite significant investments.

“It is a terrible situation across Nigeria with persistent poor power supply,” he said.

“Many small-scale businesses and large industrial players are affected, while most homes cannot boast of even three hours of electricity supply daily for domestic use.

“Despite numerous reforms and promises, the national grid continues to collapse. The situation is now compounded by gas supply shortages, weak transmission infrastructure, and chronic underinvestment across the power value chain.

“Nigerians are groaning, and urgent action must be taken by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and his team. The situation cannot continue like this.”

Oyintiloye warned that the situation has already triggered protests in parts of the country and could escalate if not addressed promptly.

“The situation must be quickly addressed before it becomes a national embarrassment. Nigerians need to be informed whether the issue is due to structural failure or sabotage within the power sector,” he said.

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Electricity

“This epileptic power supply has led to a series of peaceful protests nationwide. I appeal for the President’s intervention before these protests turn violent.

“Electricity is essential for households and the survival of businesses. Since the end of last year, there has been no stable power supply across the country, despite assurances by those in charge and huge investments in the sector.

“Poor power supply should not be added to the challenges Nigerians are currently facing. The high cost of fuel has also made it difficult for those relying on generators to cope.”

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