News
30 Seconds Biometric Clearance at Nigeria’s International Airports Begin in March-Tunji-Ojo
30 Seconds Biometric Clearance at Nigeria’s International Airports Begin in March-Tunji-Ojo
By: Michael Mike
All International airports in Nigeria will now have 30 seconds biometric clearance gates in line with international standards and best practices.
The Federal Government installed the facilities for the Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS), at all international airports in the country.
The biometric gates have the capacity to screen and clear a passenger within 30 seconds without any interface or contacts with Immigration personnel.
When inaugurated, it would provide seamless clearance services for passengers entering the country through any of the International airports.
Speaking to journalists after undertaking a tour of the biometric equipments installed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and the Command and Control Centre at the NIS Headquarters on Monday, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the 30 seconds biometric clearance gates would be ready in Lagos, Portharcourt, Kano, Abuja and Enugu by March.
He said Lagos would have 17 gates, Abuja 10, Portharcourt and Kano 5 each and Enugu 4.
Tunji-Ojo while stating that the facilities would be a game changer for effective and efficient management of international passengers in the country, noted that the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS), and the Commandant and Control Centre facilities had been integrated not just for seamless entry and exit for passengers, but to add another layer to the nation’s National Security Architecture.
The Minister who was conducted round the facilities by Comptroller of Immigration in Charge of the Abuja International Airport, Alhaji Mohammed Adamu, said whatever is happening within the airports domains would be seen real time at Command and Control Centre to enable security agencies monitor persons of interest entering the country.
The Minister also said:” I am impressed by the levels and pace of works I have seen here today. The facilities are about 70 percent ready. This means our border control management system is on track. It also means that the Nigeria Immigration Service is ready to contribute its qouta to the National Security Architecture.
“The efficiency of the services provided by the NIS determine whatever we see in our security outlook as a nation. All these are being done in line with global best practices and standards and in consonance with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu to provide quality services to Nigerians.
“We have decided that the more the gates at the airports, the easier it would be for passengers to be cleared. And looking at the ones that have been tested, it is about 30 seconds for a passenger to clear, so I look at the solutions and the hardwares, and I think they are a top notch.
“I am happy with the quality of works and I am happy with the prospect of giving Nigerians the experience. And once it is completed Nigerians will no longer be at the mercy of Immigration officers whenever they arrive in the country.
“Once you check in you don’t need to have encounter with Immigration officers anymore except you are a person of interest. This facility is not just for you to pass at record time, no. It is also to secure the nation and add another layer to our National Security Architecture.
“If a person is a person of interest, he can easily be flagged. And this gives our Immigration support to be able to effectively do their jobs.”
30 Seconds Biometric Clearance at Nigeria’s International Airports Begin in March-Tunji-Ojo
News
Two die following clash at Tumbi Market in Gamawa LGA in Bauchi
Two die following clash at Tumbi Market in Gamawa LGA in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Two young men have died following a violent altercation at Tumbi Market in Bachel Village, Gamawa Local Government Area, Bauchi State.
The incident occurred on March 13, 2026, at about 11:00 p.m., involving Bello Baba, 25, Auwal Bayaro, 20, Umaru Alh Gimba, 18, Haruna Adamu, 20, Yayaji Wakili, 20, and Ori Dadi, 20, all residents of Bachel Village.
Sources said that a disagreement among the group escalated, and the suspects reportedly attacked each other using sticks, resulting in serious injuries.
The injured were immediately conveyed to General Hospital, Gamawa, where Bello Baba and Auwal Bayaro succumbed to their injuries. Their remains have been released to their families for burial.
Police have intensified efforts to apprehend the other individuals involved.
They said that the case remains under investigation, and further updates will be communicated as developments unfold.
Two die following clash at Tumbi Market in Gamawa LGA in Bauchi
News
UNICEF vaccinates 330 children in Gombe IDP camp
UNICEF vaccinates 330 children in Gombe IDP camp
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Gombe State Government, has vaccinated no fewer than 333 displaced children sheltering in a camp in the state.
The children alongside their parents were displaced from their communities in Alkaleri Local Government Area, Bauchi State, following attacks by bandits on their villages.
The victims are currently staying in a camp located in Kashere town of Akko Local Government Area, Gombe State.
The Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abdulrahman Shuaibu, while speaking during the visit of UNICEF team to the camp on Friday said health interventions were ongoing to support displaced families.
Shuaibu said that children’s health remained a priority, with several zero-dose children already vaccinated.
He said that about 300 children had received routine immunisation as of Thursday, adding that 33 children previously classified as zero-dose had also been vaccinated.
He further said girls that are nine years old were receiving human papilloma virus vaccines.
“What we have done in the health section is to ensure we conduct reactive vaccination amongst children.
“We have a lot of children that are zero-dose, meaning they are children that have never received any form of vaccines, we have started immunising them.
“We have other children that are less than five that are receiving routine immunisation.
“We have our outreach team that come here at least three times a week to vaccinate children and we have surveillance officers amongst the IDPs that also refer clients from the IDPs to our nearby facilities for treatment,” he said.
According to him, two children had died in the camp while two babies had been delivered since the displaced families arrived.
The state government, he said, was working with UNICEF to provide therapeutic food for malnourished children.
On her part, Chief of the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Nuzhat Rafique, said her team visited the camp to support the displaced persons with 600 dignity and WASH kits to improve hygiene and sanitation at the camp.
Dr Rafique said that the intervention aimed to prevent disease outbreaks and improve conditions in the camp.
She expressed concern over poor sanitation and stressed the need to strengthen hygiene practices to safeguard the health of women and children.
“UNICEF is here especially to support immunisation and health services for pregnant and lactating mothers, including deliveries at a nearby facility where services are available.
“Today we distributed hygiene and dignity kits because sanitation is very poor here and hygiene must improve to prevent cholera and other diseases.”
On immunisation, Rafique said vaccination had also begun for many children who had not previously received routine immunisation.
She explained that several zero-dose children at the camp were now being covered under the immunisation programme.
According to her, children who had never attended school were also being supported through plans to establish temporary learning facilities.
“So we will establish a safe learning space so these children can begin learning and continue when they return to their communities,” she said.
Rafique commended the governments of Gombe and Bauchi states for supporting displaced persons.
She also praised the host community for helping to manage the camp and maintain order among residents.
UNICEF vaccinates 330 children in Gombe IDP camp
News
India Strengthens Youth Ties with Nigeria Through Essay Competition Awards
India Strengthens Youth Ties with Nigeria Through Essay Competition Awards
By: Michael Mike
The High Commission of India in Nigeria has honoured Nigerian winners of an essay competition organised under its newly introduced “Youth Junction” initiative, a programme designed to deepen youth engagement and strengthen people-to-people relations between India and Nigeria.
The prize distribution ceremony which took place at the High Commission in Abuja, drew participation from Nigerian and Indian youths who gathered to celebrate academic excellence, creativity and the growing partnership between the two nations.
Speaking at the event, India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, said the Youth Junction initiative was created to provide a dynamic platform for young people in both countries to interact, share ideas and explore collaborative opportunities.
He explained that the programme seeks to inspire creativity, learning and innovation among youth while also promoting cultural understanding and strengthening the longstanding diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
Singh noted that young people remain central to the future of bilateral cooperation, stressing that platforms such as Youth Junction would encourage meaningful exchanges and partnerships in areas of shared interest.
The essay competition, which formed part of the initiative, was launched on February 6, 2026 with the theme “Strength of India–Nigeria Bilateral Relationship.” The contest invited Nigerian students to reflect on the evolving partnership between the two countries and highlight opportunities for deeper cooperation.
A representative of Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, commended the initiative, describing it as an important platform for strengthening bilateral relations through youth-driven engagement.
The representative noted that by bringing young Nigerians and Indians together, the initiative would encourage collaboration in areas such as technology, entrepreneurship, cultural exchange and digital skills development.
Participants at the event expressed optimism that sustained youth-focused programmes would open new avenues for cooperation and mutual understanding between both countries.
The High Commission congratulated the award recipients and reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the Youth Junction initiative as part of broader efforts to deepen the enduring partnership between India and Nigeria.
India Strengthens Youth Ties with Nigeria Through Essay Competition Awards
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