NEWS
BREAKING: UK Goes Hard on Nigerian Students Bringing Family Over
In keeping with media speculations, the United Kingdom (UK) has formally put legal measures in place to control the way foreign students, including Nigerians bring over family members as dependants.
Biztellers had reported that “Speculations are rife that exodus of foreign students to the United Kingdom (UK) is set to attract stringent regulations with only those enrolled for PHD likely to continue enjoying the privilege of bringing families over.”
The UK government, on Tuesday, as widely anticipated made her stand on the issue public by unveiling legal measures with which she hopes to take a firm grip and control the high influx of foreigners, migrating as dependents to students, reported to stand at over a million presently.
With the new legislation, it would no longer be tenable for international students to switch out of the student route and into work routes before the completion of the course of study, so as to guard against misuse of the visa system.
Biztellers gathered that “there will also be a review of the maintenance requirement for students and dependants in addition to a crackdown on “unscrupulous” education agents “who make use of inappropriate applications to sell immigration, not education”, according to Sky News.
The new regulations come into force by January 2024 so as to make room for students starting courses in the UK time to plan to adapt to the new realities.
Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, in a statement on Tuesday, pointed out that recent immigration figures had shown an “unexpected rise” in the number of dependants moving into the UK together with international students.
Braverman also noted that the increase was made after the government made clear her commitment to lower net migration.
The UK government is fully aware of the economic impact of international students, according to Braverman but would not be singularly focused on that “at the expense of our commitment to the public to lower overall migration”.
This position, Sky News further reports is why the government took pains to strike a balance between acting decisively on tackling net migration and protecting the economic benefits that students can bring to the UK.
The UK’s Home Office has taken to its official site to express optimism that the “New government restrictions to student visa routes will substantially cut net migration by restricting the ability for international students to bring family members on all but post-graduate research routes and banning people from using a student visa as a backdoor route to work in the UK.
It stated, “The ONS estimated that net migration was over 500,000 from June 2021 to June 2022. Although partly attributed to the rise in temporary factors, such as the UK’s Ukraine and Hong Kong schemes, last year almost half a million student visas were issued while the number of dependants of overseas students has increased by 750% since 2019, to 136,000 people.”
The Home Office also noted that this new rule is not at the expense of the government’s commitment to the public to lower overall migration and ensure that migration to the UK is highly skilled and provides the most benefit.
According to them, the proposal is aimed at allowing “the government to continue to meet its International Education Strategy commitments while making a tangible contribution to reducing net migration to sustainable levels. The government has also made clear that the terms of the graduate route remain unchanged.”
The Home Office also made it clear that “the proposals announced today do not detract from the success of the government’s International Education Strategy, including meeting the target to host 600,000 international higher education students studying in the UK each year by 2030, for two years running.”
Official statistics, which are due to be published this week, are expected to show that net migration has increased from 504,000 in the 12 months to June 2022 to more than 700,000 in the year to December, Sky News said.
According to data, foreign students brought 135,788 family members to Britain last year – nine times more than in 2019 while in 2022, 59,053 Nigerian students brought over 60,923 relatives.
NEWS
Tinubu Hails EFCC as FBI Commends Nigeria Over International Child Sextortion Crackdown
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following recognition by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of Nigeria’s role in an international operation targeting sextortion networks exploiting minors.
The commendation followed a letter from FBI Director Kash Patel to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, acknowledging the Commission’s contribution to Operation Artemis, a joint investigation targeting criminal networks involved in the sexual exploitation and extortion of children.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disclosed this in a statement released on Saturday.
ALSO READ: ADC Accuses Tinubu of Using N50,000 Cash Relief to Woo Voters Ahead of 2027
The operation resulted in the arrest and extradition of two Nigerian suspects, Adebola Festus Adekunle and Mudasiru Afeez Olawale, in August 2026. Both suspects are facing federal charges in the United States.
In his letter, Patel credited the EFCC’s cooperation for the successful outcome of the investigation.
“The successful outcome of these cases would not have been possible without your assistance and dedication to international law enforcement collaboration,” the FBI Director wrote.
Reacting to the recognition, President Tinubu described the commendation as evidence of Nigeria’s progress in tackling financial crimes and strengthening international law enforcement cooperation.
The President praised the EFCC Chairman and his team for their professionalism and commitment, stressing that Nigeria must not become a safe haven for individuals involved in criminal activities.
“This is the kind of institutional performance we are determined to build across our country. I commend the EFCC Chairman and his team for their professionalism and dedication,” Tinubu said.
He added: “Nigeria must never become a haven for criminals who exploit innocent people, whether at home or abroad. Our law enforcement and anti-corruption institutions have my full support to pursue offenders and bring them to justice in accordance with the law.”
The President’s commendation comes amid growing international recognition of Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its financial crime prevention framework.
Nigeria was removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in October 2025 and the European Union’s list of high-risk financial jurisdictions in January 2026.
Tinubu said the developments demonstrate his administration’s commitment to improving financial integrity, restoring international confidence and creating a secure environment for legitimate businesses and investments.
“Our fight against corruption is not measured by publicity but by results. Stronger institutions, effective law enforcement and international cooperation are essential to building a Nigeria where honest enterprise can thrive, and criminals are held accountable,” the President stated.
He also urged the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies to sustain their efforts, assuring them of his administration’s continued support in protecting Nigerians, combating financial crimes and strengthening the country’s relationship with international partners.
NEWS
FRSC Begins Five-Day Nationwide Crackdown on Fake, Obsolete Number Plates
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is set to begin a five-day nationwide enforcement operation targeting motorists using fake, covered, defaced and obsolete vehicle number plates.
The operation, code-named Operation Guduma Phase Two, will run from Monday, November 2, to Friday, November 6, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen road safety enforcement and address security concerns linked to fraudulent vehicle registration plates.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on October 31, 2026, by the Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, at the FRSC National Headquarters in Abuja.
SEE ALSO: FRSC Warns Drivers After Brake Failure Kills Two in Kano Crash
The exercise, approved by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, will be conducted across selected states, with designated senior officers assigned to coordinate and supervise the operation.
The renewed crackdown follows the first phase of Operation Guduma conducted in May 2026, during which the FRSC recorded 1,691 arrests across 11 states.
According to the Corps, 1,003 motorists were arrested for various number plate-related offences, while 683 were apprehended for overloading and mixed-loading. Five others were arrested for using fake diplomatic number plates.
The FRSC said the second phase was prompted by growing concerns raised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) over the increasing use of fake, covered, defaced, obsolete and counterfeit diplomatic number plates.
It warned that vehicles operating with fraudulent or unidentifiable registration plates could allow criminal elements to evade identification, undermine security surveillance and frustrate investigations.
Beyond the enforcement of vehicle registration regulations, the operation will also focus on maintaining free-flowing traffic along designated corridors, emergency rescue interventions and the prompt clearance of road obstructions.
Speaking ahead of the exercise, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed warned that the use of fake, concealed, defaced or obsolete number plates would no longer be treated as a minor traffic offence because of its implications for public safety and national security.
He urged motorists to ensure their vehicle registration plates are genuine, valid, clearly visible and properly displayed, while calling on members of the public to cooperate with FRSC personnel during the operation.
Mohammed also directed officers participating in the exercise to discharge their duties professionally, maintain discipline and respect the rights of citizens.
He particularly emphasised that engagements involving diplomatic number plates must be handled with appropriate courtesy and in accordance with applicable diplomatic protocols.
NEWS
Keyamo Rolls Out Tinubu Aviation Revolution Series Ahead Of 2027 Re-election Campaign
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has rolled out a short television campaign series titled Tinubu Aviation Revolution Series to showcase the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in the aviation sector ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The initiative marks one of the first campaign communication interventions by Keyamo following his appointment as Director of the Directorate of Air Transport Mobilisation under the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC PCC).
The directorate is responsible for coordinating and facilitating air transportation for authorised campaign activities in support of President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
SEE ALSO: Tinubu Sends Six NMDPRA Executive Director Nominees to Senate, Retains Three
Demonstrating his commitment to the new assignment, Keyamo swiftly mobilised his team to produce a 30-second television campaign material highlighting the administration’s achievements in the aviation sector.
The campaign material, which has been fully paid for, is scheduled to commence airing on November 1, 2026, across major television stations. The broadcasts are expected to continue until a few days before the presidential election.
According to a press release issued on Saturday by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, the Tinubu Aviation Revolution Series is designed to present a concise, compelling and accessible account of the transformation of the aviation sector under the Tinubu administration.
Through the short-format television production, the campaign seeks to bring the government’s aviation record directly to the voting public, highlighting the sector’s progress and its contribution to national development.
The statement noted that aviation serves as a critical driver of economic growth, tourism, trade, investment and international connectivity.
It added that the series is intended to draw attention to the sector’s role in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda and encourage an informed public assessment of the administration’s performance.





