TheCable

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says Nigerians in the diaspora with expired passports can now return home without hassles.

Tony Akuneme, the NIS public relations officer, said such affected persons must only show their expired passports to ascertain that they are really Nigerians.

The NIS spokesperson made this known in an interview with NAN on Tuesday.

“The status of the new policy is that Nigerians with dual citizenship are free to come to Nigeria but with their Nigeria passport even if it’s expired,” he was quoted as saying.

“You have to show that you are a Nigerian, that is why we say they can come with their expired passport. Dual citizenship means carrying two passports.

“Unlike before that when your passport is expired you will not be allowed to come to the country, now we can allow them to travel in with their expired Nigeria passport.”

Akuneme added that although the goal was to ensure they are able to return home, they will be required to renew their passports before returning to their bases.

“The whole essence is that when they arrive, they must renew their Nigeria passport before going back,” he said.