News
Visa On Arrival Cancellation: Princess Audu Calls For Calm, Admonishes Foreign Community
By Joel Ajayi
The Director General, of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, has admonished the foreign community to remain calm on the cancellation of Visa on Arrival, VOA, while her office works to resolve the issue.
She made her position known in a press statement issued on Monday, February 24, and made available to this medium.
“Our primary objective is to strengthen security around the VOA process while maintaining the policy, which has been instrumental in promoting tourism, trade, and investment in Nigeria. We believe that with collaboration and dialogue, we can address the security issues identified and achieve a secure and efficient VOA process that benefits all parties involved.
“PEBEC has a proven track record of driving reforms to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria. We have implemented various initiatives to simplify procedures, reduce bottlenecks, and create a more conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive.
“We urge the foreign community to remain calm and confident in our ability to resolve this matter. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria remains an attractive destination for investors, tourists, and businesses alike,” the statement read.
Recall that Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, had cancelled the Visa on Arrival,.VOA policy where nationals of other West African countries were issued a visa upon their arrival into the country.
The Minister had cited insecurity which has continued almost unabated despite the efforts of the Federal Government.But Princess Audu assured that her agency understands the anxiety this has caused among the foreign community, and assured all stakeholders that PEBEC is actively engaging with the Minister of Interior to find a solution.
News
Ogunlesi backs Tinubu reforms as FIRS chairman Adedeji highlights export-led economy
Joel Ajayi
After a high-level meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, Nigerian-born global investor Adebayo Ogunlesi expressed renewed confidence in the country’s economic reforms, indicating potential mega investments across energy, aviation, and port sectors.
He was joined in that optimism by Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who stressed that the reforms were laying the groundwork for an export-driven economy.
Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Ogunlesi praised the sweeping policy changes under Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of subsidies, tax reforms, and the revival of a refinery already exporting aviation fuel.
“We had an excellent meeting where we discussed how to put Nigeria front and center for international investment. The President was very encouraging, and we shared useful suggestions on driving economic growth,” Ogunlesi said.
Although he declined to reveal specific details, Ogunlesi confirmed that his firm is actively investing in Nigeria and assessing new opportunities.
“Watch this space. Nigeria is not yet the most exciting investment destination, but that’s what we are working on,” he teased.
Pressed on the sectors of interest, Ogunlesi highlighted energy, gas, aviation, ports, and renewables. Drawing on his firm’s experience with LNG projects in Texas and Australia, he noted Nigeria’s massive untapped gas reserves.
On aviation, he acknowledged his reputation as “the guy who bought Gatwick Airport” and signaled interest in similar ventures locally.
He also admitted that one of his companies operates ports in Cotonou and Lomé but none in Nigeria, a point Tinubu reportedly challenged him on.
“He forgave me but said, ‘you have to bring port investment to Nigeria,’” Ogunlesi recounted with a smile.
International investor Hakeem Bello-Osagie, who was also present, underscored the importance of diaspora participation in Nigeria’s growth story.
“When Nigerians at home and abroad invest in Nigeria, it sends a strong signal to the world,” he said, lauding Tinubu’s policies for making the country “investable.”
Echoing the sentiment, FIRS chairman Adedeji described the reforms as the foundation for an export-led economy.
“We’ve done the fundamentals, and now it is time to deliver growth,” he said.
With global players signaling confidence, the momentum for Nigeria’s economic repositioning is gaining ground, setting the stage for transformative investments in key industries.
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