The Nigeria Immigration Service announced on Monday that Nigerians returning to the country can enter the country with an expired Nigerian passport.
This was stated in a memo sent to all mission heads, immigration attachés, airport comptrollers, and airlines.
According to a memo signed by the Special Assistant to the Comptroller General (Foreign Desk), DCI BM Lawal for the Comptroller-General of the Immigration Service, Muhammed Babandede, all airlines have been asked to allow holders of expired Nigerian passports to board without difficulty.
“I am directed to respectfully present the compliments of the Comptroller General of 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,” according to the memo.
“As a result, all airlines are urged to allow holders of expired Nigerian passports to board without restriction.”
” Furthermore, all Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad are kindly requested to circulate this information to airline operators and host country border authorities for any necessary action.”
“While forwarding the above for your information,” the memo continued, “please accept the assurances of the Comptroller General of Immigration Service.”