ABUJA, Nigeria (Chatnewstv.com) — Nigeria’s Senate has passed a bill seeking to ban citizens convicted of crimes in foreign countries from holding a Nigerian passport for 10 years, a measure lawmakers say is a critical step toward restoring the nation’s battered international reputation.
The proposed legislation, which amends the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, aims to introduce stiffer sanctions to deter Nigerians from engaging in criminal activities overseas and to improve the credibility of the country’s travel documents.
Leading the debate on the Senate floor, Senator Onawo Ogwoshi called the legislation “imperative and compelling,” arguing it would discourage citizens from tarnishing Nigeria’s global image.
“Innocent and patriotic Nigerians suffer harassment in airports, visa denials, and constant suspicion simply because of the actions of a few,” Ogwoshi said on behalf of the bill’s sponsor, Senator Abubakar Bello.
He lamented the declining respect for the Nigerian passport, once a source of national pride.
“The green passport, once a symbol of pride, is now widely disrespected,” Ogwoshi said. “That is nothing less than a state of emergency.”
Under the provisions of the bill, Nigerians who have served sentences for criminal convictions abroad would have their passports withdrawn upon their return and be ineligible to apply for a new one for a decade.
Lawmakers contend the measure will serve as both a punishment for offenders and a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to accountability within the global community. The bill must be passed by the House of Representatives and signed by the president to become law.
