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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.
