The Federal Government has announced plans to introduce a new emergency travel document, the Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP), which will replace the existing Single Travel Emergency Certificate (STEC) by 2026.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, disclosed this during the decoration ceremony of 46 newly promoted Assistant Comptrollers of Immigration (ACIs) to the rank of Comptroller of Immigration, held in Abuja.

She said the service is focused on deploying technological innovations to improve service delivery and effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities.

Speaking on the reforms, she stated: “I am looking forward to embracing 2026, which will also be part of all the reforms we’re introducing to optimise our services both in terms of our visa, passport production line, contactless solutions and new ones we’re putting in place, like the ENBIC (ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card), which we just started. We want to ensure that our processes are seamless and the STEP, which is also a new programme we’re going to launch early next year. It is going to be biometric-based, and it is going to be in alternative ways.”

The Comptroller-General urged the newly decorated officers to exhibit increased vigilance and uphold the highest standards of professionalism amid prevailing security challenges.

She reminded them that advancement in a disciplined service is “neither automatic nor solely a function of years in service,” but is achieved through “sustained dedication, professional competence, integrity and an unwavering commitment to duty.”

Nandap commended President Bola Tinubu for his “visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to institutional reforms and national security,” adding that the ongoing transformation within the service reflects the administration’s determination to strengthen security institutions.

She also acknowledged the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for providing “strategic direction, diligent oversight and resolute dedication to strengthening our operational capacities,” noting that the presence of key stakeholders demonstrated the collective support sustaining the service.

The Immigration chief told the officers that their decoration represented the confidence placed in them and carried expectations of “enhanced leadership, sound judgment, accountability and exemplary conduct.”

She explained that occupying senior positions demands clear vision, decisiveness, empathy, and the capacity to mentor and inspire others.

“At this advanced stage of your careers, professional competence must be matched with strong leadership attributes.

Considering the security challenges our nation faces, we must remain vigilant and unrelenting in the fight against multifaceted threats. Your actions will set the tone, and your conduct will continue to reflect the core values and reputation of this service.”

Nandap reiterated that the NIS would “not tolerate any form of indolence or unprofessional conduct,” while encouraging officers to embrace innovation, respond to emerging challenges and prioritise the interest of the Service above personal considerations.

She also encouraged officers who were not promoted to stay committed, assuring them that, “There is a time for everyone. Keep working hard and your time will come.”

Abubakar Malami, Nigeria’s former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, continues to be held by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) more than two weeks after his detention, as investigations into allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and money laundering intensify.

Malami, who served from 2015 to 2023 under President Muhammadu Buhari, was detained on December 8 after reportedly failing to meet administrative bail conditions initially granted in late November.

The EFCC’s probe stems from multiple petitions accusing Malami of financial misconduct.

Key allegations include the improper payment of $16.9 million in legal fees to two lawyers for recovering funds looted by the late military ruler Sani Abacha, as well as involvement in the management of $346.2 million recovered from Switzerland.

Other claims involve a N4 billion loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria, a $496 million payout to Global Steel Holdings after it had waived claims, a $200 million compensation deal with Sunrise Power over the Mambilla hydropower project dispute, and his role in a $419 million Paris Club judgment debt to consultants.

The agency is also examining a purported N10 billion investment in schools, hotels, and rice mills in Kebbi State, which critics say is unexplained, along with 46 bank accounts allegedly linked to him.

Reports have further mentioned suspicions of terrorism financing, though Malami’s camp has dismissed these as baseless and sensationalized.

In recent developments, EFCC operatives raided Malami’s residences and offices in Abuja and Kebbi State around mid-December, actions his team described as intimidation tactics following his public reference to Chapter 9 of the unreleased Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission Report, which allegedly contains adverse findings against current EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede.

Additionally, police have taken over the Azbir Hotel and Arena in Birnin Kebbi, properties allegedly owned by Malami and linked to the probe into assets disproportionate to his earnings.

A Federal Capital Territory High Court dismissed Malami’s bail application last week, ruling that the EFCC’s detention was lawful and that he must remain in custody pending further investigation.

Malami has vehemently denied the allegations, calling the investigation a political witch-hunt motivated by his recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and his gubernatorial ambitions in Kebbi State.

He has accused EFCC Chairman Olukoyede of bias, citing the Salami report, and demanded that Olukoyede recuse himself from the case. In a statement from custody, Malami urged for his immediate release, claiming his life is at risk and describing the process as a smear campaign without evidence.

His supporters echo these sentiments, arguing that no charges have been filed in court yet and insisting on a fair process.

The case has sparked widespread protests in Kebbi State, where youths have demonstrated for Malami’s release, holding prayers and rallies while decrying what they call oppression and selective prosecution.

Protesters and opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have pointed to perceived inconsistencies in anti-corruption efforts, noting that figures like former Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello face similar allegations but remain free.

“If Malami had defected to the APC, the EFCC would have left him untouched,” Atiku reportedly stated, framing the detention as politically motivated.

On the other side, civil society groups have urged Malami to cooperate fully with the investigation rather than making demands that undermine it.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) criticized his call for Olukoyede’s recusal as “baseless and evasive,” emphasizing that no one is above the law and that the probe should proceed without interference.

Critics of the protests, including some Kebbi residents, have labeled them as politically sponsored and embarrassing, arguing that accountability must apply to all public officials and that investigations are not equivalent to convictions.

As the situation evolves, no formal charges have been brought against Malami in court, and the EFCC has maintained that its actions are based on credible petitions and evidence, not political vendettas.

The case has fueled broader debates on the independence of Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions, selective justice, and the intersection of politics and law enforcement under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The public continue to monitor for updates, with calls from all sides for transparency and due process.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has raised concerns over controversies surrounding the recently passed Tax Reform laws, warning that the issues undermine the integrity, transparency, and credibility of Nigeria’s lawmaking process.

The controversy began last week when House of Representatives member Abdulsamad Dasuki alleged discrepancies between the tax laws approved by the National Assembly and the versions later gazetted.

He claimed that the laws as gazetted did not reflect what was actually debated and approved on the House floor.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA said the developments strike at the core of constitutional governance and question the procedural sanctity essential in a democratic legislative process.

Emphasizing the need for clarity, the association said, “The Nigerian Bar Association considers it imperative that a comprehensive, open, and transparent investigation be conducted to clarify the circumstances surrounding the enactment of the laws and to restore public confidence in the legislative process.”

It also urged that all implementation plans for the Tax Reform Acts be suspended until the investigation is completed. “Until these issues are fully examined and resolved, all plans for the implementation of the Tax Reform Acts should be immediately suspended,” the statement said.

According to the NBA, the legal and policy uncertainty arising from the controversies has far-reaching consequences, including destabilizing the business environment, eroding investor confidence, and creating unpredictability for individuals, businesses, and institutions required to comply with the laws.

The association noted that such uncertainty threatens economic stability and is incompatible with governance grounded in the rule of law.

It stressed that Nigeria’s constitutional democracy requires that laws, especially those with major economic and social impacts, must emerge from transparent and accountable processes.

“We therefore call on all relevant authorities to act swiftly and responsibly in addressing this controversy, in the overriding interest of constitutional order, economic stability, and the preservation of the rule of law,” the statement concluded.

The Tax Reform Acts, which include the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service Act, and Joint Revenue Board Act, were scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.

However, the alleged discrepancies have sparked widespread debate, with many calling for their suspension.

In response, the Presidency and the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, said that no official harmonized version of the passed bills is currently available for comparison, complicating verification efforts.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly has established a committee to investigate the allegations, though its report is expected only after lawmakers’ end-of-year recess.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced that the National Identification Number (NIN) issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will automatically serve as the Tax Identification Number (TIN) for individual Nigerians.

This clarification was provided during a public awareness campaign on the new tax laws, shared by the Service on X on Monday.

According to the FIRS, registered businesses will also no longer need a separate Tax ID, as their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration number will now serve as their official tax identifier under the updated tax system.

The announcement follows public concerns over provisions in the new tax laws requiring a Tax ID for certain transactions, including owning a bank account.

Explaining the policy, the FIRS said the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), set to take effect in January 2026, mandates the use of a Tax ID for specific transactions. However, the agency emphasized that this requirement is not new, noting that it has existed since the Finance Act of 2019 and has only been reinforced under the NTAA.

“The Tax ID unifies all Tax Identification Numbers previously issued by the FIRS and State Internal Revenue Services into a single identifier,” the Service said.
“For individuals, your NIN automatically serves as your Tax ID, while for registered companies, your CAC RC number is used. You do not need a physical card, as the Tax ID is a unique number linked directly to your identity.”

The FIRS added that the new system is designed to simplify identification, reduce duplication, close loopholes for tax evasion, and promote fairness by ensuring that everyone who earns taxable income contributes appropriately.

The Service urged the public to disregard misinformation surrounding the reform and assured Nigerians that the new tax framework is intended to improve efficiency and transparency in tax administration.

The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, said that banks will be required to request a TIN from all taxable Nigerians as part of the federal government’s new tax administration framework, which is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

In a significant shake-up of Nigeria’s energy sector, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated new chief executive officers for Nigeria’s two key petroleum regulatory agencies, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The nominations followed the sudden resignation of the pioneer chief executives of both agencies on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.

The leadership change is part of efforts by the Tinubu administration to stabilize the petroleum sector and rebuild investor confidence after weeks of public controversy surrounding regulatory oversight.

The agencies were created under the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021 and play critical roles in regulating Nigeria’s upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas activities.

How the Former CEOs Resigned

The Presidency announced that the former chief executives stepped aside to allow for what it described as a fresh injection of leadership into the regulatory bodies.

Farouk Ahmed, former Chief Executive of NMDPRA, resigned shortly after a meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.

His exit came amid intense public scrutiny following allegations by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group, who accused the regulator of economic sabotage and corruption.

Dangote alleged that the authority was undermining domestic refining by issuing import licenses to foreign fuel traders and submitted a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission raising concerns about Ahmed’s lifestyle and finances.

Gbenga Komolafe, former Chief Executive of NUPRC, resigned at the same time. While his departure was not linked to any public controversy, it was announced alongside Ahmed’s resignation to enable a comprehensive leadership reset across the petroleum regulatory space.

The Nominees and Their Profiles

President Tinubu nominated two seasoned oil and gas professionals with long careers at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company and its subsidiaries to take over the leadership of the agencies.

Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan, Nominee for NUPRC CEO

Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan is an Economics graduate of the University of Benin with nearly 33 years of experience in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

She joined NNPC in 1992 and rose through the ranks, holding several strategic roles across planning, economics, and upstream operations.

She most recently served as Executive Vice President for Upstream at NNPCL, becoming the first woman to hold that position. Prior to that, she was Group General Manager for Corporate Planning and Strategy between 2019 and 2023.

She is widely regarded for her expertise in petroleum economics, upstream investment strategy, and resource development.

Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, Nominee for NMDPRA CEO

Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed was born in 1957 in Gombe State and graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1981.

He has over 37 years of experience across Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain, with a strong focus on gas infrastructure and operations.

During his career at NNPC, he served as Managing Director of the Nigerian Gas Company and the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company.

He later became Group Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer for Gas and Power at NNPC. Mohammed played key roles in the development of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan and major infrastructure projects, including the Ajaokuta Kaduna Kano Gas Pipeline and the expansion of the Escravos Lagos Pipeline System.

Senate Meeting and Confirmation

Both nominees appeared before the Joint Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources covering upstream, downstream, and gas on Thursday, December 18, 2025, for screening. During the session, they pledged to strengthen regulatory oversight, prioritize digitization to curb value leakage, and enforce contracts to support local refining and improve investor confidence.

The Senate is scheduled to confirm their appointments during plenary on Friday, December 19, 2025, a move aimed at preventing any leadership vacuum in the country’s critical petroleum regulatory institutions.