FG gives directive to allow Nigerians returning with expired passports

• The Federal Government has directed entry points to allow Nigerians with expired passports to return for the festive season without obstacles.
• On December 22, 2023, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) issued a letter instructing help desks at entry points to facilitate the issuance of expired passports within a maximum of two weeks.
• Airlines have been instructed to actively allow boarding for individuals with expired Nigerian passports, in line with the government’s effort to ease the return of Nigerians in the diaspora.

The Federal Government has instructed that Nigerians returning for the festive season with expired passports should face no hindrance upon entry, according to a letter from the Nigeria Immigration Service.

The directive allows entry with expired passports, and airlines are urged to permit boarding for such individuals.

The policy, not new, aims to facilitate the return of Nigerians in the diaspora, with passport re-issuance within a maximum of two weeks at designated offices.

The letter emphasizes the importance of publicizing this directive through all Nigerian embassies and high commissions.

In a letter dated December 22, 2023, by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Wura-Ola Adepoju, to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, through the Office of Assistant Comptroller General, Border Management, the NIS asked that Nigerians “be admitted into the country with their expired Nigerian passports”.

“l am directed to refer to the above subject matter and to inform you that the Federal Government of Nigeria in her efforts to make life easy for Nigerians in the diaspora has approved that all Nigerians returning home can be admitted into the country with their expired Nigerian passports.

“I am further directed to inform airlines coming to Nigeria to allow holders of Nigeria expired passports to board without let.

“In furtherance to the foregoing, all Nigeria Embassies and High Commissions are advised to give this directive the highest publicity it deserves.

“Consequent upon the above, all entry/exit points are by the copy of this letter directed to open a help desk for all Nigerians in this category and directed same to passport offices where their passports will be reissued within a maximum of two (2) weeks,” the letter sighted by Daily Trust stated in part.