By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs Kemi Nanna Nandap, has been extended.

Her tenure was extended by President Bola Tinubu, according to a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.

She was first appointed to the position on March 1, 2024, and was to serve till August 31, 2025, but the President has shifted her term forward to December 31, 2026.

Mrs Nandap began her career in the NIS on October 9, 1989, and under her tenure as the head of the agency, the NIS has witnessed significant advancements in its core mandate, with notable improvements in border management, modernisation of immigration processes and national security measures.

President Tinubu commended the Comptroller-General for her exemplary leadership and urged her to continue dedicating herself to the Service’s strategic priorities, which align with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the NIS in fulfilling its mandate to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and promote safe, legal, and orderly migration.

By Adedapo Adesanya

A cross-border payments company, Blaaiz, has announced the appointment of Mr Oladunjoye Afolabi, a distinguished executive and transformational business strategist, as a non-executive board member.

This monumental appointment signals a bold new chapter for Blaaiz as it cements its position as a dominant force in the global payments landscape.

Building on its recent expansions into Kenya and Uganda, alongside the acquisition of key licenses in the USA, Canada, and Nigeria, Blaaiz is now intensifying its push into other strategic markets including Ghana and the UAE, with Afolabi’s visionary leadership set to be a cornerstone of its expansion drive.

According to a statement shared with Business Post, in his role on the board, Mr Afolabi will focus on strategic finance, global expansion, and operational excellence.

He is expected to advise Blaaiz on optimising its cross-border payment infrastructure, enhancing risk management frameworks, and developing cutting-edge financial strategies to scale operations worldwide.

Mr Afolabi brings over 18 years of executive experience driving exponential revenue growth and operational excellence within multinational corporations across tech, telecom, consulting, manufacturing, and shipping industries.

He has held prominent leadership positions at one of the biggest global providers of digital communications infrastructure firms, serving across West Africa, East Africa, and Europe.

His most recent role was Chief Operating Officer & Board Member, where he spearheaded multiple innovative financial strategies.

His leadership optimised complex multinational operations and transformed companies’ financial architectures for sustainable growth. His expertise also extends to strategic financial oversight and regulatory compliance, which he honed through his experience at two of the big 4 accounting firms, Ernst & Young and KPMG.

With Mr Afolabi’s appointment, Blaaiz says it continues its relentless pursuit of providing seamless, secure, and innovative cross-border payment solutions. As the company expands its reach across Africa, North America, Europe, and beyond.

Speaking on this development, Mr Ifelade Ayodele, CEO and Co-Founder of Blaaiz, stated, “Afolabi is a true trailblazer and his appointment represents a watershed moment for Blaaiz. His proven track record of delivering exceptional financial outcomes across multiple continents and navigating complex regulatory requirements across key regions is exactly what we need as we pursue our ambition to become the leading provider of secure, borderless banking solutions in emerging markets.”

“Having Afolabi onboard is a key testament to our commitment to world-class governance and we are incredibly lucky to have him,” he added.

Adding his input, Mr Oladunjoye said, “I am honoured to join Blaaiz at this crucial stage of its growth. I’m impressed by their innovative approach to cross-border payments and I look forward to contributing my expertise to their regional expansion, empowering users to send money across the world with purpose.”

According to the statement, Blaaiz remains committed to empowering individuals and businesses to connect financially across borders, turning every transaction into a step towards a brighter, more inclusive financial future.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A former Senator from Kwara State, Mr Ibrahim Oloriegbe, has been appointed as the chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

The former federal lawmaker was chosen for the position by President Bola Tinubu, according to a statement on Sunday by the presidential spokesman, Mr Bayo Onanuga.

The appointee, who is a medical doctor, represented Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly between 2019 and 2023.

He will serve as the chairman of NHIA for an initial term of four years starting from Tuesday, March 11, 2025, and would be expected to use his experience to drive growth at the agency.

Mr Oloriegbe holds a Master’s in Coaching and Consultation from the University of Oxford, UK, and HEC, Paris, and a Bachelor’s of Medicine and Surgery from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.

He is a member of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), Nigeria Veneral Disease Association, Guild of Medical Directors of Nigeria, International Aids Society (IAS), and the Africa Health Leadership and Management Network.

The former Senator served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health from 2019 to 2023 and the Chairman of the Joint National Assembly Committee on Health.