Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Federal Government has said that Nigerians with expired passports returning home during the festive period would be admitted into the country.
This was contained in a letter written by the Comptroller-General of Immigration Service (CGIS), Isah Idris, and addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.
In the letter dated December 9, 2022, and signed by the Special Assistant to the Comptroller-General of Immigration Service (Foreign Desk), DCI B.M. Lawal, all Head of Missions, Immigration Attachés, Airports Comptrollers and Airlines were copied.
“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 read in part.
The CGIS had recently directed the immediate setting up of diaspora desks at all international airports in order to have a seamless passport process for all Nigerians coming home during the festive period who may be desirous of processing their passports.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), DCI Anthony Akuneme, said that the CGIS had directed passport offices across the country to give priority attention to citizens living outside the country and their families bearing in mind that most of them have a specific time of returning 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 fast-track passport process for the yuletide season commenced few weeks ago with the opening of passport offices on Saturday.
The NIS said this group of people have until January 31, 2023 to enjoy the service.
