The Federal Government, through a statement signed by Assistant Comptroller General M. C. Dike of the Nigeria Immigration Service, has officially communicated that Nigerians abroad are authorized to return home even with expired passports.
This directive comes with a corresponding instruction to airlines, mandating them to admit individuals falling under this category. The decision, as articulated in the statement, is a deliberate effort by the government to enhance the ease of life for Nigerians residing in the diaspora.
It says, “I am directed to refer to the above subject matter and to inform you that, the Federal Government of Nigeria in its efforts to make life easy for Nigerians in the diaspora has approved that all Nigerians returning home can be admitted into the country with their expired Nigerian passports.
“I am further directed to inform airlines coming to Nigeria to allow holders of Nigeria expired passport to board without let. In furtherance to the foregoing, all Nigeria Embassies and High Commissions are advised to give this directive the highest publicity it deserves.
“Consequent upon the above, all entry/exit points are by the copy of this letter directed to open a help desk for all Nigerians in this category and directed the same to passport offices where their passports will be reissued within a maximum of two weeks.”
