December 15, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has directed airlines to board Nigerians returning home with expired passports.
The directive is contained in a memo dated December 9, 2022, and signed by B.M. Lawal, special assistant to the Comptroller-general (foreign desk), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS),
The memo, issued and signed on behalf of the Comptroller-general of the NIS, Muhammad Babandede, requested all airlines to allow returnees with expired Nigerian passports to board and arrive without any hindrance
It reads: “I am directed to respectfully present the compliments of the Comptroller-general of [the] Nigeria Immigration Service and notify all relevant authorities that the Federal Government of Nigeria has approved that Nigerians returning home can be admitted into the country with their expired Nigerian passports.
“Consequently, all airlines are requested to allow holders of expired Nigerian passports to board without any 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.
“While forwarding the above for your information, please accept the assurances of the Comptroller-general of [the] immigration service.”
The letter was addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, all Heads of Missions, Immigration Attachés, Airports Comptrollers, and airlines.
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