The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Nigerians can now travel back to the country even if their passports have expired.
Before now, Nigerians with expired passport were not allowed to travel into the country.
In memo to the Ministry dated 9th December titled, ‘Admit Nigerians with Expired Nigeria Passport’, NIS urged airlines to allow Nigerians with expired passports to board.
In an earlier interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NIS Public Relations Officer, Tony Akuneme said that such affected persons only needed to show their expired passports to ascertain their citizenship.
“The status of the new policy is that Nigerians with dual citizenship are free to come to Nigeria but with their Nigeria passport even if it’s expired.
“You have to show that you are a Nigerian; that is why we say they can come with their expired passport. Dual citizenship means carrying two passports.
“Unlike before that when your passport is expired you will not be allowed to come to the country, now we can allow them to travel in with their expired Nigeria passport”.
Akuneme added that although the goal was to ensure they are able to return home, they would be required to renew their passports before returning to their bases.
“The whole essence is that when they arrive, they must renew their Nigeria passport before going back”, he explained.
The NIS statement, signed by Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, B. M. Lawal, further stated: “In addition, all Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad are kindly requested to circulate this information to airline operators and border authorities of host countries for their necessary action”.
