The Nigerian immigration service has approved entrance for Nigerians with expired passports.
A memo signed by DCI Lawal who is special assistant (Foreign Desk) to the Comptroller-General of the Immigration Service, Muhammed Babandede, and addressed to all heads of missions, immigration attachés, airports comptrollers and airlines, said: “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.
“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 Immigration Service.”
Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, had ordered the Nigeria Immigration Service to allow Nigerians in the Diaspora to return home with their expired international passports.
The directive followed complaints by some Nigerians abroad, who cried out that Nigerian Immigration officials in the United States and airlines prevented them from returning to Nigeria because of expired Nigerian passports.
