The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has clarified that Nigerians living abroad do not necessarily need a valid passport to travel back to the country, as expired passports can be used for the journey and renewed after returning to Nigeria.
The clarification comes as many Nigerians in the diaspora prepare to travel home during the end-of-year period. The NIS said those planning to return in December can use the opportunity to renew their passports while in Nigeria instead of waiting to complete the process abroad.
The agency also addressed concerns about passport services in the United Kingdom, explaining that the ongoing passport intervention has not affected normal services at the Nigerian High Commission.
According to the NIS, applicants whose passport appointments are due are still being attended to as scheduled.
The Service spokesman, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, also confirmed that the contactless passport application platform remains operational.
The platform allows Nigerians who would rather not visit a passport office physically to apply for passport renewal remotely through the app.