Saudi Arabia has updated its tourist eVisa programme for 2026, limiting eligibility in Africa to only three countries as part of its list of 66 nations whose citizens can apply through the Kingdom’s online visa platform.

The move leaves most African countries, including Nigeria, outside the simplified entry scheme.

The electronic visa allows eligible travellers to visit Saudi Arabia for tourism, leisure activities, family visits and Umrah, excluding the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Applications are completed online, eliminating the need for embassy visits and lengthy visa processing.

Saudi authorities said the eVisa forms part of ongoing efforts to expand tourism, attract international visitors and simplify travel procedures through a fully digital application system. The visa is available only to citizens of approved countries and territories listed on the Kingdom’s official tourism portal.

Below is the list of African countries eligible for Saudi Arabia’s eVisa.

1. Mauritius

2. Seychelles

3. South Africa

The Yoruba Council Worldwide, Ìgbìmọ̀ Apapo Ọmọ Yorùbá Lágbàáyé, has announced the appointment of Mr. Gboyega Adeoye as its new Publicity Secretary and Spokesperson.  

The appointment was formally conveyed by the President of the Council, His Royal Majesty Sooko (Barr.) Oladotun Hassan, Esq., Sooko Agoriesin of Ile-Ife.

Ogbeni Adeoye, a versatile and veteran journalist with nearly three decades of experience in print, broadcast and digital media, brings to the Council a proven track record in public communications, media strategy, and development advocacy. He is also widely known as a frontline rights activist of no mean repute, with years of advocacy for justice, good governance, and the protection of indigenous rights.

In his new role, Ogbeni Adeoye is fully empowered to speak on behalf of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, issue official press statements, respond to media inquiries, and represent the Council’s position on critical national issues and matters affecting the Yoruba people at home and in the diaspora.

Announcing the appointment, HRM Sooko Oladotun Hassan said the selection of Ogbeni Adeoye was deliberate, based on his capacity, credibility and commitment to cultural advancement.

“Ogbeni Gboyega Adeoye has been carefully selected based on his proven capacity in public communications, development advocacy, and cultural strategy. He shall henceforth serve as the official voice and image of our Council on all matters relating to the media and public discourse,” the President stated.

The Yoruba Council Worldwide is a foremost global institution committed to the cultural, political and socio-economic advancement of the Yoruba people.

With this appointment, all media engagements, public clarifications, live appearances and official statements pertaining to the Yoruba Council Worldwide for and on behalf of the Yoruba indigenous people globally should be directed to the office of the Publicity Secretary.

Adeoye expressed appreciation to the leadership of the Council for the trust reposed in him, pledging to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, truth and cultural dignity in projecting the ideals of the Yoruba nation.

The Council solicits the cooperation of all media houses and editors nationwide as it continues to advance its shared ideals for national development, cultural renaissance and good governance.

Conference of the West African College of Physicians, WACP, has urged government at all levels to strengthen the health system or risk worsening the ongoing migration of skilled medical professionals, declining service delivery, and deepening pressures on already overstretched hospitals.

The position was made at a press conference held at the Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, University of Ibadan on Monday, to formally announce activities marking the 50th Annual General and Scientific Conference of the West African College of Physicians, WACP, Nigeria Chapter.

WACP also highlighted systemic gaps in governance, funding, workforce retention, and healthcare delivery, while emphasising the need for reforms anchored on collaboration, innovation, and patient-centred care.

Speaking at the briefing, the Chairman of the Nigeria Chapter of WACP and Vice President of the College, Prof. Benjamin Uzochukwu, said Nigeria’s health system challenges cannot be solved by restrictive policies but by making local practice more attractive, functional, and sustainable.

Prof. Uzochukwu noted that while artificial intelligence is increasingly useful in modern medicine, especially in diagnosis, it cannot replace the empathy and judgment required in patient care.

He said: “For us and for me in particular, we should not rely solely on artificial intelligence. We must combine it with human intelligence.

“In our clinical practice, we have found that artificial intelligence is very helpful, particularly in diagnosis. However, when it comes to management, the human element is missing.

“Artificial intelligence will not say, ‘I’m sorry.’ However, a clinician’s empathy can help address the social aspects of a patient’s problem by saying, ‘I’m sorry. How are you doing?’ and so on.”

He, however, expressed concern over the continued migration of health workers abroad, warning that brain drain is weakening Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“Brain drain continues to strip our hospitals of experienced specialists,” he said, adding that inflation has further reduced the real value of healthcare workers’ earnings.

On past efforts to curb brain drain, he criticised restrictive measures that limited doctors’ access to international training opportunities, arguing that such policies were counterproductive.

“At one point, the Federal Government introduced a policy that indirectly prevented some doctors from travelling abroad to undertake specialist training. However, we do not believe that this is the appropriate approach.

“To curb brain drain, we must ensure that what we have within the country is sufficient, of high quality, and offers appropriate remuneration to sustain the health system.

“If we strengthen our health system, then anyone who visits a health facility will receive appropriate treatment and quality healthcare services.”

On how Nigeria’s health sector can be revitalised, he said: “We must allocate at least the agreed 15% of the national budget to health. At present, spending is below 6 percent.”