Nigeria’s Federal Government has authorized the use of expired Nigerian passports to allow citizens to return home entry.
This was stated in a letter dated December 9, 2022, from Comptroller-General of Immigration Service (CGIS) Isah Jere Idris to Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama.
According to the letter: “Consequently, all Airlines are requested to allow holders of expired Nigerian passports to board without let or hindrance.
“In addition, all Nigerian Diplomatic Missions abroad are kindly requested to circulate this information to airlines operators and border authorities of host countries for their necessary action.”
The letter, which was signed by DCI BM Lawal, a Special Assistant to the Comtroller-General of Immigration Service, and had the reference number NIS/CGI/FD/208/20, included copies for all Heads of Missions, Immigration Attachés, Airport Comptrollers, and Airlines (Foreign Desk).
The CGIS recently ordered the immediate establishment of diaspora desks in all international airports in order to ensure a smooth passport application procedure for any Nigerians returning home over the holiday season who may want to process their passports.
According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Anthony Akuneme (DCI), the CGIS had instructed passport offices across the nation to give priority attention to such citizens living outside the country and their families, keeping in mind that most of them have a specific time of day that they must return to their countries of residence.
“The CGIS affirmed the commitment of the Service to continue rendering effective and efficient service delivery to all Nigerians both at home and abroad, as well as non-Nigerians who are desirous of using any of the service windows,” the statement added.
The accelerated passport application process for this holiday season officially began a few weeks ago, with the opening of passport offices on Saturday
According to the NIS, those with expired passports have until January 31, 2023, to take advantage of this service.