The Federal Government has ordered airlines to allow Nigerians returning home with expired passports to board their aircraft “without any hindrance”.
The directive is contained in a letter, dated December 9, 2022, and signed by the Special Assistant to the Comptroller General (Foreign Desk) of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), B. M. Lawal.
“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 said.
