I don’t think we talk enough about how life-changing a good manager is. Someone who leads well, guides intentionally, empowers your growth, and gives advice that sharpens you can completely shape your career🙌🏾🙌🏾
They say it takes 21-45 days to form a habit. I've been working in corporate for 8 years and it only takes 1 weekend for me to forget what I do for work.
The problem is the use of agents for South African visas. Apart from passport data pages, they fill in anything they wish. This way the travellers fail immigration interviews on their reasons for coming.
One of them had also been insulting the SA govt online, so they already had him on their radar. When confronted with the insults, he was unable to defend himself. Not sure which of the three ??You are free to take it up when you return
NIDCOM Official Statement
Update on the Three Nigerians Stranded at South African Airport.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) is pleased to announce that the three Nigerian nationals who were stranded at a South African airport have been cleared and have departed South Africa.
They are expected to arrive in Lagos tomorrow morning.
While we welcome their safe return, NIDCOM notes with concern the circumstances that led to this unfortunate incident.
The core issue in many such cases stems from the over-reliance on unregulated visa agents. These agents often collect applicants’ passport data pages and complete sections of the visa application particularly on purpose of visit, itinerary, accommodation, and ties to Nigeria without the full knowledge or approval of the travellers. Consequently, many applicants are unable to defend the information provided when questioned during immigration interviews, resulting in entry refusal.
In this particular case, one of the individuals had previously posted insulting remarks about the South African government online. This had already placed him on their watchlist.
When confronted at the port of entry, he was unable to defend or substantiate those statements, which further aggravated the situation.
NIDCOM’s Advisory to All Nigerian Travellers:
1. Apply for visas directly or through only licensed and verifiable agents. Never allow any third party to fill sections of your application without your full review and approval.
2. Ensure every detail submitted is accurate and that you can personally explain and defend it during any immigration interview.
4. Be mindful of your digital footprint. Immigration authorities, routinely conduct social media checks. Derogatory or inflammatory posts [about other countries or your home country] can lead to secondary screening or visa denial.
5. Always travel with genuine, well-documented reasons for your visit and carry all necessary supporting evidence.
NIDCOM will continue to monitor the situation and engage the relevant South African authorities to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
We strongly urge all Nigerians planning international travel to exercise due diligence. Responsible preparation protects not only the individual but also Nigeria’s reputation.
Nidcom thanks the Nigerian high commission in South Africa for their prompt intervention and will continue to follow up with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian high commission in South Africa.
Cc @abikedabiri@otegaogra@NTANewsNow@DOlusegun@AyoOyalowo@woye1@cbngov_akin1@MobilePunch@channelstv@pmnewsnigeria@vanguardngrnews@LeadershipNGA@legitngnews@instablog9ja@TVCconnect@dammiedammie35@ashomssolomon
For the education of passengers, let me offer this advice.
If you are travelling abroad, please note that the possession of a valid visa does not guarantee entry into another country. Immigration can turn you back if you do not have watertight evidence of the purpose of your trip, address for the duration of stay, financial capacity to support your stay, etc.
Remember addresses by heart or, like I do, ensure to keep screenshots of the reserved hotel or address. Answer questions confidently (not arrogantly), and resist the urge to be unruly, no matter what. Whatever happens will eventually pass. It is good to inform Nigerian authorities immediately, for information purposes and for support, but deportation based on denied entry does not need a certain degree of tension.
Also, your visa can be cancelled even BEFORE your departure from Nigeria. We treat these cases daily where passengers are denied boarding at the airport because, unbeknownst to aome of them, their visas had been cancelled.
Please, panicking is not the solution, and here at the NCAA, our job is without emotions. We work within the letters of the regulations alone.
IMPORTANT: we should learn to distinguish what complaints fall under the purview of the regulator and those that should be tagged to other agencies and ministries.
Every country in the world, Nigeria inclusive, has the power to do so. And it happens here, too. Just ensure to understand the peculiar situations of the country you are travelling and prepare yourself properly with ALL of the right documents and explanations. Entry into another country is NOT a right. This includes entry into Nigeria. This is general advice, not specific to today's case.
@ADONAITASTEE Even with a valid visa, every Immigration service can consider you inadmissible, depending on certain circumstances. A visa does not guarantee entry into any country.
Kindly point me where they have been treated like criminals in the video. Security agents can take certain actions depending on the behaviour of the passenger. This is why I have advised that they do not act in an unruly manner. Even if they take your phones, do not fight. They will eventually return them. In any case, if his phone had been seized, how did he make the video? He will not be allowed to board another flight if he is inadmissible. The airline that brought him will take him back. They may also be made to pay a fine. And this narrative of inadmissibility is me guessing what the problem is, from his own statement. We are not sure of anything yet, so let's be calm.
This is an Immigration issue, not an airline issue. When a passenger is considered inadmissible, they are held until the airline that brought them in is able to fly them back. It is possible that there are no seats available on the very next flight and the passenger would have to wait. While waiting, an inadmissible would not be allowed to leave the terminal. I will advise passengers in this situation to stay calm and obey instructions until they are able to be flown back home. Do not become unruly and don't make videos if their rules are against it. Unless you are being maltreated, stay calm.