The House of Representatives on Tuesday called on Federal Government to revert to the 10 year passport policy following series of challenges faced by Nigerians living abroad in the bid to renew their passports.

To this end, the House after robust debate on the motion which seeks to rescind the “policy on renewal of Nigerian passport on a five yearly basis” sponsored by Samson Olugbemi, mandated the Committee on Interior chaired by Adams Jagaba to liaise with the Ministry of Interior and Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) on the policy.

In his lead debate, Olugbemi observed that before the introduction of the e-passport by NIS, the Nigerian passport had a five years validity period subject to revalidation for another five years only, an indication that it has 10 year life span.

He further noted the process of renewal of the old passport was more simple and efficient than the current regime, as it required mere stamping by an authorised Immigration official to indicate a new expiring date.
While stressing that the 10 year lifespan was in tandem with international best practices because countries issue travelling visas which vary from two weeks to 10 years, Olugbemi argued that the arbitrary chnage in the policy is inflicting hardship and inconveniences to Nigeria’s at home and abroad.
“The House is concerned that the Nigerian Immigration Service, for reason only known to it decided to limit the validity of the new Nigerian passport to five years without any option of renewal, therefore, instead of renewal of the passport on expiration, a new one is to be issued.
“The House wonders about the benefits of this change of policy, other than the selfish intentions of the NIS increase its internally generated revenue profile and by extension increase the funds, it is permitted to offset its operational costs.
“The House is aware that millions of Nigerians who are residing in countries where Nigeria’s passports cannot be used procured due to absence of Nigerian Consular office or Embassy, are stranded abroad because of the expiration of their passports,” Olugbemi lamented.
The lawmaker, who called for the intervention of the House, argued that the five year passport policy has compelled numerous Nigerians who frequently travel overseas to hold passport without visa complimenting each other.

Good move.