Reps demand 10-year validity for Nigerian passports

The House of Representatives yesterday urged the federal government to increase the validity period of the Nigerian Passport to 10 years against the current 5 years. A member, Mr. Samson Olugbemi, moved a motion on the matter.

He cited the painful experiences of Nigerians, who got caught up abroad with the challenges posed by the current validity period of five years.

The House in a resolution noted that there was no further value in the validity period of five years “other than the selfish intentions of the Nigerian Immigration Service to increase its internally generated revenue profile and by extension, increase the funds it is permitted to offset its operational costs.”

Part of the motion read, “The House recalls that before the introduction of the e-Passport, the Nigerian Passport had a five-year validly period, subject to re-validation for another five years only, indicating that Nigeria’s passport had a lifespan of 10 years.

“The House also recalls that the process of renewal of the old passport was very simple and efficient, as it required mere stamping by an authorised immigration official, indicating a new expiration date.

“Convinced that the 10-year lifespan sits very well with international best practices because countries issue travelling visas, which vary from two weeks to 10 years.

“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 arbitrary change in policy is inflicting untold hardships and inconveniences to Nigerians at home and abroad.”

The Reps further asked the NIS to “initiate measures aimed at reverting to the 10-year lifespan policy for the Nigerian Passport.”