The Passport Control Officer ( PCO) in charge of the Ikoyi Passport Office of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mr Olugbenga Ayegbusi, has assured Nigerians coming home for Christmas of seamless passport renewal.
Deputy Comptroller of Immigration ( DCI) Ayegbusi who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos urged Nigerians who want to come home with expired passports to do so without any worry.
He assured that they will be able to renew their passports before they return.
He said the process has been revamped to serve Nigerians better unlike what used to happen in the past.
He stressed that the process is easier now provided there is no breach of process or policies by such passport holders.
Ayegbusi said, “Ikoyi Passport Office is here to stay, the office will always give Nigerians in the Diaspora a sense of belonging and encourage them to develop confidence in the system.”
“Nigerians belong to Nigeria, if a Nigerian needs to visit his or her home country, NIS won’t prevent such a person because his or her passport has expired.
“Neither will NIS send the person to other countries, because they don’t belong to those countries.
“So, the Federal Government through NIS wants tranquillity and progress for Nigerians.
“If you want to come home with an expired passport, NIS will allow you to come.
“However, on arrival, NIS will mark your passport “A”, this means advice to renew the passport,” he said.
He said all passports marked with “A” would be given unfettered service at the Ikoyi Passport Office.
