The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced new visa restrictions targeting Nigerian travellers, including a ban on transit visa applications. Starting from Tuesday, Nigerian travellers aged between 18 and 45 will no longer be eligible for tourist visas unless they travel with a companion, according to instructions sent to travel agents. The UAE has also stopped accepting transit visa requests from Nigerians, tightening the entry rules significantly. These changes come as part of the UAE’s updated immigration policies, which aim to enhance security and control over visitor entries. The new rules mean that many Nigerians planning solo trips to the UAE for tourism or short stays will face difficulties obtaining visas. Travel agents and prospective visitors are advised to stay updated on the evolving visa requirements to avoid travel disruptions. The impact of these restrictions could affect tourism and business travel between Nigeria and the UAE. It remains to be seen if Nigerian authorities or travel agencies will engage with UAE officials to seek clarifications or possible adjustments to the policy. Nigerians planning trips to the UAE should prepare to meet the new conditions or explore alternative travel arrangements
Flutterwave’s Send App returns to Europe, making money transfers to Africa faster and safer
Flutterwave has relaunched its Send App in Europe, giving Africans abroad a faster and more secure way to send money home. Flutterwave, a top African fintech company, has brought back its Send App for users in Europe after a break. The app now lets people in countries like Ireland, France, Germany, and Italy send money quickly to Nigeria, Egypt, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and other African nations. The company says the new Send App comes with stronger security and a better system for processing payments. Users can now send money using Visa cards or direct bank transfers, and more payment options are coming soon. This gives Africans in Europe more ways to support their families and friends back home. Europe is home to millions of Africans, many of whom send money to support loved ones. According to the World Bank, remittances to low- and middle-income countries could reach $690 billion in 2025, showing how important these services are for many families. Flutterwave’s CEO, Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, said, “This isn’t just a resumption; it’s a renewed commitment to our community. Send App in Europe means more speed, more choice, more security, and more value for Africans sending money back home, knowing their transfers are safe and seamless every step of the way.” The Send App also recently expanded its reach in the United States after getting 20 new Money Transmitter Licenses, which was reported by Daily Tech Nigeria. This move helps Africans in the US send money home more easily, as Flutterwave grows its services in places where the African diaspora lives. The return of Send App means Africans abroad can now send money home faster and with more confidence. With better security and more payment options, Flutterwave is helping families stay connected and supported across continents.
UK-Based Nigerian launches Peakcocks, a social platform for free expression
Stanley Njoku, a Nigerian tech founder in the UK, has turned a $1.5 million business into Peakcocks, a new social media app promising true freedom of speech for Africans. Nigeria has over 40 million active social media users, most of whom use global platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter) for business, entertainment, and advocacy. But many users have grown frustrated with these platforms, complaining about content being restricted or taken down without warning. This frustration reached a peak in 2021 when the Nigerian government banned Twitter for several months. Many Nigerians had to use VPNs to stay connected. Two years later, Stanley Njoku decided it was time for a change. Njoku, who has a background in computer science, marketing, and business, noticed a pattern: “People were being restricted, shadowbanned, or silenced for expressing ideas that weren’t harmful, just unpopular,” he told Nairametrics. He saw this as digital censorship and wanted to build something different. Before Peakcocks, Njoku ran CourierHub Nigeria, a logistics startup that signed deals with DHL, UPS, and Speedaf, but struggled with infrastructure challenges and tough competition. The business eventually closed with heavy losses, teaching Njoku the value of patience and long-term thinking. After stepping back, Njoku reflected on how Africans were being shaped by online platforms built outside the continent. He wanted to create a space where Africans could express themselves without fear of silent censorship or algorithmic silencing. Peakcocks, launched in June 2025, lets users post publicly or anonymously and join interest-based communities. The app offers familiar features like timelines and messaging, but its main promise is no shadowbanning and no silent moderation. “Sometimes the most important thing someone needs to say is something they can’t attach their name to,” Njoku said. “We’re not trying to replace Instagram or Twitter. We’re building a safe space where people can speak freely without fear.” The app is available on Android and iOS, and is still in its early rollout phase. Njoku believes Africa is not behind in the tech race. With over 60% of Africa’s 1.5 billion people under 25 and more than 107 million Nigerians online, he says, “This is Africa’s digital moment. But we’re using tools built in California and China to tell African stories. It’s time we built platforms that reflect our own cultures, realities, and voices.” “The platforms were moderating people out of conversations, and doing it quietly.If we don’t build now, we’ll be shaped by tools that were never made with us in mind.” – Stanley Njoku Njoku hopes Peakcocks will become a home for unfiltered stories and bold community expression.
EFCC drags CBEX crypto promoters to court over alleged N1.3 trillion scam
Two promoters of the failed CryptoBank Exchange (CBEX) have been arraigned in Abuja for allegedly promising Nigerians huge investment returns without SEC approval. On Monday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought Avwerosuo Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim before the Federal High Court in Abuja. They are accused of luring Nigerians to invest in CBEX, a cryptocurrency scheme that promised up to 88% returns. The EFCC says they did this without getting written consent from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The case follows months of public outcry after CBEX collapsed, leaving many Nigerians with massive losses. According to the EFCC, the scam may have cost investors as much as N1.3 trillion. The Commission has promised to work with Interpol and other agencies to recover lost funds. Court documents show that between January 2024 and May 2025, the two men allegedly invited the public to deposit money with CBEX, even though they were not licensed banks or authorized to take deposits. The EFCC says this breaks several Nigerian financial laws, including the Investment and Securities Act and the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act. At the hearing, both defendants pleaded not guilty. The EFCC’s lawyer, Fadila Yusuf, asked the judge to keep them in custody until trial, arguing that they might run away because of the scale of the alleged scam. The defence lawyer, J. A. Otorudo, said his clients had not been convicted before and had cooperated with investigators. He asked for bail, saying there was no evidence they took money by false pretence. After listening to both sides, the judge ordered the men to be kept in the Kuje Correctional Facility. A ruling on their bail application is set for July 18, 2025. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale earlier assured Nigerians that the Commission is committed to recovering lost investments, stating, “We are working with international partners to bring justice and get people’s money back.” This case is part of a wider crackdown on illegal crypto schemes in Nigeria. The new Investment and Securities Act, signed into law in March 2025, aims to protect investors and clean up the crypto industry. Many in the tech and finance community hope it will restore trust and stop scammers from taking advantage of Nigerians.
Nigeria says no to nuclear weapons, focuses on fighting poverty and climate change
Nigeria has made it clear it will not pursue nuclear weapons, choosing instead to tackle poverty and climate challenges at home and across Africa. Vice President Kashim Shettima announced Nigeria’s position on Monday, July 7, 2025, during a meeting with Dr. Robert Floyd, head of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Shettima said Nigeria’s main priorities are fighting poverty and dealing with the effects of climate change, not building nuclear weapons. He stressed that nuclear conflict brings only loss, not victory. “The outcome of any nuclear conflict is never a win-win situation; it is always the opposite. We are fighting poverty; we are fighting a war against the relationship between the economy and ecology in sub-Saharan Africa. We have no business dabbling in anything that has to do with nuclear weapons,” Shettima stated. Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which bans nuclear weapons testing worldwide. The Vice President praised the CTBTO’s global network of over 300 monitoring stations, saying they help detect nuclear activity and natural disasters, and thanked the organisation for supporting global security. Dr. Robert Floyd, the CTBTO Executive Secretary, commended Nigeria’s leadership in the global campaign against nuclear weapons. He highlighted the important technical work done by the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), especially in providing data to monitor environmental hazards. Other senior officials at the meeting included Engr. Anthony Ekedegwa, Acting Chairman of NAEC; Dr. Yau Idris, Director General of NNRA; and Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The visit cemented Nigeria’s role as a key African voice against nuclear testing and showed its commitment to peace, environmental safety, and sustainable growth.
NCAA gives green light for Enugu air flights through XEJet partnership
Enugu Air has received approval from Nigeria’s aviation regulator to start local flights, teaming up with XEJet while it waits for its own full operating licence. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) announced on Monday that Enugu Air can now operate domestic flights by using XEJet’s aircraft and operational setup. This move comes as Enugu Air is still working on its Air Operator Certificate (AOC), a key requirement for airlines to run independently. According to Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, the temporary approval lets Enugu Air use XEJet’s Embraer E170 planes, which have already been added to XEJet’s official operations list. This partnership means XEJet is now officially allowed to run scheduled flights on behalf of Enugu Air, following all regulatory procedures. “The NCAA approves the commencement of domestic flight operations by Enugu Air, in line with the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development’s 5-Point Agenda aimed at promoting the growth of indigenous airlines,” the statement read. Enugu Air was officially launched on July 7, 2025, by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, with Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah present. The airline started with three Embraer 170 jets, each seating about 76 passengers. For now, ticket bookings are handled through XEJet’s platform, which passengers can access from Enugu Air’s website. Flights are available on major routes like Enugu-Abuja and Enugu-Lagos, with tickets currently listed at ₦110,001 for both routes. Governor Mbah said Enugu Air aims to expand to more Nigerian cities and eventually offer regional flights across Africa, helping to position Enugu as a major aviation hub. The NCAA stressed its commitment to safety, security, and fair competition in the sector, saying this approval supports the government’s goal to grow local airlines and make the business environment friendlier for operators. Enugu Air plans to grow its network and fleet, while working to complete its own AOC process. For now, passengers can book flights through XEJet and expect more route options soon as the airline expands.