News
UK spreads travel entry scheme to US, Canada, Australia
The UK’s new visa-waiver entry system took effect on Wednesday for passengers from dozens more countries, including millions of annual visitors from the United States, Canada and Australia.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme — similar to the ESTA system in the United States — requires visitors who do not need a visa to enter Britain to acquire pre-travel authorisation.
Costing £10 ($12.50) and allowing stays of up to six months at a time over two years, it first launched in 2023, with Qatar, before being extended last year to five regional Gulf neighbours.
Now, it has been expanded to include citizens of around 50 more countries and territories, from Argentina, Brazil and New Zealand to Japan, South Korea and Caribbean nations.
With the system kicking in for them on Wednesday, they have been able to apply since last November.
The scheme, aimed at tightening border security, will next be extended to dozens of EU and European countries and territories on April 2.
Citizens covered by the scheme will be able to apply for the new ETA — which is digitally linked to the traveller’s passport — via an app, from March 5.
Around six million people from the US, Canada and Australia visit Britain each year, according to the UK government.
Eligible travellers will need one even if they are just using the UK to connect to an onward flight abroad. ETA also applies to children and babies.
London’s Heathrow Airport has opposed the scheme, saying its rollout has reduced the number of passengers transiting through the UK, and that it makes the country “less competitive” and harms economic growth.
The new requirement does not apply to British and Irish citizens, those with passports from British overseas territories and legal UK residents.
It does not change the requirements for citizens of countries who need a visa to visit Britain, such as Chinese, Ecuadorian and South African travellers.
Previously, most visitors not requiring a visa could arrive at a British airport and proceed through immigration control with their passport.
The new UK entry scheme mirrors the imminent ETIAS scheme for visa-exempt nationals travelling to 30 European countries, including France and Germany, which will cost seven euros ($7.40) and last three years.
The European Commission expects the system — which will apply to around 60 countries, including the US, Canada, Brazil and the UK — to become operational in the middle of this year.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Again, three members of the House of Representatives from Katsina State officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during plenary at the National Assembly today.
The defection was formally announced during plenary and has immediately altered the political composition of Katsina’s representation in the House.
Lawmakers who Defected: Hon. Salisu Yusuf Majigiri – Representing Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency Hon. Aliyu Iliyasu Ruma – Representing Batsari/Safana/Danmusa Federal Constituency Hon. Abdullahi Balarabe Dabai – Representing Bakori/Danja Federal Constituency
Defection Confirmed in House Plenary The Speaker of the House of Representatives formally acknowledged the defection letters submitted by the lawmakers. The legislators cited internal crises within the PDP in their respective constituencies and the inability of the party to uphold democratic principles as key reasons for their decision. Hon. Salisu Majigiri, a former chairman of the PDP in Katsina State, was considered one of the strongest opposition figures in the region. His move to the APC is seen as a major win for the ruling party, particularly ahead of future political calculations in the North-West.
By Francesca Hangeior
Some academics and alumni have called for the urgent constitution of a new governing council for the University of Abuja.
They also asked the federal government to extend the tenure of the acting vice-chancellor of the University, Patricia Lar who has three months left in her appointment.
Although her mandate is for six months, they want it extended to allow for the completion of ongoing reforms.
The academics said this would enable her to continue the ‘rescue mission’ gains the university is experiencing under her leadership.
They said this in a joint statement signed by Godwin Okaneme of the department of philosophy, Iheanyichukwu Ukpabi of the department of policy and strategic studies, Abuja Leadership Centre, and Umoru Abdulrasheed Oseni of the faculty of education at the university.
The academics described her emergence as a “rescue mission” following the removal of Aisha Maikudi, the former VC, on February 6.
The statement said: “The University does not yet have a full-fledged Governing Council. We appeal to the Federal Government to expedite action on the appointment of a Governing Council for the University to enable the institution run effectively and efficiently without encumbrances.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal High Court in Abuja has quashed a suit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, challenging the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) intervention in its recent subscription price hike.
Delivering judgement on Thursday, Justice James Omotoso ruled that the suit constituted an abuse of court process as similar proceedings were already pending elsewhere.
He stressed that the plaintiff should have pursued its arguments in that court, rendering the current filing procedurally inappropriate.
Justice Omotoso noted that while the FCCPC has investigative powers under its establishing Act, it lacks the authority to fix or suspend prices unless specifically delegated by the President through a gazetted instrument. No such delegation was presented to the court.
“The power to fix prices is exclusively that of the President. Any decision taken without such delegation is a nullity,” he stated.
He added that Nigeria operates a free market system, and service providers like MultiChoice retain the right to set their prices, with consumers free to accept or reject them.
The judge further ruled that FCCPC’s actions, including directing MultiChoice to suspend its price increase, breached the company’s right to fair hearing and appeared selectively targeted.
He dismissed the FCCPC’s claim that MultiChoice held a dominant market position, calling the argument untenable.
The use of services like those provided by the plaintiff is discretionary and not essential. Nigeria can do without it,” he added.
He warned that attempts to fix prices by regulatory bodies could scare off investors and harm the economy.
The court held that while the FCCPC may investigate market practices, it cannot impose price controls without proper legal backing.
MultiChoice had increased subscription rates by up to 25% on March 1, 2025, citing inflation and operational cost pressures.
The FCCPC opposed the move and threatened to sanction the firm.
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