Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Passport Applicants need Letters from States of Origin- NIS

POSTED ON April 20, 2024 •   Business      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
Nigerian passports l Credit: NIS l Source: NIS

The Nigerian Immigration Service has defended its decision to request proof of state of origin from passport applicants.

They have also addressed recent worries about the passport renewal process, stating that applicants do not have to travel to their states of origin in order to obtain the necessary indigenship documents.

This clarification was made in response to a tweet by X user, who expressed frustration over the alleged need to obtain a letter from one's state of origin for passport renewal. 

The X user who questioned the reasoning behind such a policy, especially its practicality for individuals like himself who have limited connections to their states of origin.

"I heard that now, in order to renew your passport, you have to obtain a letter from your state of origin proving that you are from there. What kind of ridiculous policy is this? So I should go to Edo State, which I have only visited two or three times, to get a document? How would they confirm that I am from there? We are creating our own problems."

In response to X user tweet, the Immigration Service acknowledged the concern and clarified that physical travel to one's state of origin is not compulsory for obtaining the indigenship document. 

Stressing the rationale behind the documentation requirements, the Immigration Service stated that every requirement is carefully considered and legally supported by government laws and policies.

The Service wrote, “First off, you do not necessarily need to go to your state of origin to get the ‘indigenship document.’

“We are aware that most states have liaison offices in other states. For example, Anambra state has liaison offices in Lagos (Eti-Osa) and Abuja (Asokoro).

“These offices are empowered to issue such documents.

“Having said this, every document that the Service requires passport applicants to produce/submit/upload was carefully thought through (not stupid) and backed by certain laws and policy documents approved by the Federal Government through our supervising ministry – in this case, the Ministry of Interior.

“It is quite important, especially based on certain intel that we have (but cannot disclose publicly), that anyone, a Nigerian of course, who wishes to obtain a Nigerian passport – a document of authority for identification and travel – must prove beyond reasonable doubt, that he/she is a Nigerian citizen.

“For your claim of being a Nigerian citizen to hold water, there has to be a document that ‘ties’ you to a local government (indigenous area) within the country.

“This document is what we request that applicants present to us, amongst others, to authenticate their claim of being a citizen.

“You may also want to read up on the particular part of the Nigerian Constitution that bothers on citizenship, for clarity, sir.

READ ALSO
Tinubu's call for investment sparks concerns in Belgium over future oil trade
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 26, 2025 0

Belgium has expressed concerns regarding the possible loss of a significant share of its petroleum p...

READ ALSO
Anambra assembly voices concerns over Onitsha drug market closure impacting local economy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 26, 2025 0

ANAMBRA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Anambra House of Assembly has adopted a resolution urging the National...

READ ALSO
Consumer protection agency challenges MultiChoice over unilateral price increases
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 26, 2025 0

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has called on MultiChoice Nigeria...

READ ALSO
Ogun secures $2.5bn livestock investment from Brazilian giant JBS
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 24, 2025 0

Ogun State is poised to benefit from a $2.5 billion investment in livestock production from JBS, a c...

READ ALSO
FG, WIPO join forces over Nigerian SMEs growth
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 22, 2025 0

The Federal Government has teamed up with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to boo...

READ ALSO
Illicit foreign mining activities endanger African nations- USIP Director
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 21, 2025 0

The United States Institute for Peace (USIP) has stated that foreign mineral extraction in Africa po...

READ ALSO
NMGS advocates for AI, 3D technologies in transforming Nigeria's oil reservoir management
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 21, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) has urged the incorporatio...

READ ALSO
CBN introduces FX Code to enhance Forex market transparency, stability
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 21, 2025 0

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has kept its monetary policy rates unchanged and reaffirmed its de...

OUR CHANNELS:

Tinubu's call for investment sparks concerns in Belgium over future oil trade
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 27, 2025 0

Belgium has expressed concerns regarding the possible loss of a significant share of its petroleum p...


SCSN urges FG to address socioeconomic struggles amidst Muslim political discontent
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 26, 2025 0

The Supreme Council for Shari'ah Council in Nigeria (SCSN) has voiced its disappointment regarding t...


Abia launches education task force to boost school attendance
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 26, 2025 0

ABIA,Nigeria (NAN)- The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in Abia, Goodluck Ubochi, ann...


Niger allocates N300bn to transform educational sector
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 26, 2025 0

MINNA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Niger government has planned to invest N300 billion in overhauling the ed...


Kuwait reaffirms commitment to educate 200,000 out-of-school children in Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 26, 2025 0

ABUJA, NIgeria (NAN) - The Kuwaiti government has reaffirmed its dedication to supporting 200,000 ou...


Anambra assembly voices concerns over Onitsha drug market closure impacting local economy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 26, 2025 0

ANAMBRA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Anambra House of Assembly has adopted a resolution urging the National...


Enugu lawmaker advocates tenant protection against excessive housing fees
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 26, 2025 0

ENUGU, Nigeria (NAN) - A proposed bill aimed at regulating agency and legal fees for housing has pas...


Consumer protection agency challenges MultiChoice over unilateral price increases
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 26, 2025 0

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has called on MultiChoice Nigeria...


Court charges attending Nurse, Exonerates Naira Marley and associates in Mohbad Case
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 27, 2025 0

The Lagos State Magistrate Court located in Sabo, Yaba, has exonerated Nigerian artist Abdulazeez Fa...


DSVA unveils New initiatives to support survivors of domestic, sexual violence
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 26, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has introduced two new i...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu