By Henry Umoru, ABUJA
The Nigerian Senate has advanced the second reading of a significant bill proposing amendments to the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. P343 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. This legislative initiative aims to impose stricter sanctions on Nigerian citizens convicted of crimes abroad by suspending their passports for a decade.
This proposed law is intended to underscore Nigeria’s resolve to combat criminal conduct by its nationals overseas and to rehabilitate the country’s international image.
Central to the bill is the provision that mandates the confiscation of passports from individuals found guilty of foreign offenses for a period of ten years.
The bill’s proponent stressed the necessity of this reform, describing it as a pivotal move to restore Nigeria’s reputation on the world stage. He pointed out that the current Passport Act requires modernization to effectively discourage Nigerians from engaging in illegal activities outside the country.
He further highlighted that criminal acts committed by Nigerians abroad have significantly tarnished the nation’s reputation, causing diplomatic strains and complicating international relations. This negative perception has led to tighter visa restrictions and frequent denials, which undermine Nigeria’s national interests.
During the debate, Senator Ogoshi Onawo (PDP, Nasarawa South) noted that countries frequently visited by Nigerians-including China, Turkey, Canada, France, Egypt, Germany, Ethiopia, South Africa, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates-have implemented more rigorous visa policies largely due to the prevalence of crimes involving Nigerian nationals within their territories.
He explained that while detailed crime data remains confidential to protect human rights, the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs is acutely aware of the diplomatic difficulties these offenses create. The senator emphasized that such criminal behavior damages Nigeria’s foreign relations, weakens bilateral and multilateral ties, and harms the country’s global standing.
“The repercussions of these offenses extend beyond the perpetrators,” Senator Onawo stated. “Innocent Nigerians face increased scrutiny, visa refusals, discrimination, and social stigma when traveling internationally. The once-esteemed green passport has lost much of its credibility, signaling a national crisis.”
He characterized the situation as an urgent national concern and called on the legislature to exercise its constitutional mandate under Section 4 to enact laws that foster peace, order, and effective governance.
While acknowledging that the existing Passport Act serves a purpose, Senator Onawo argued it is insufficient to tackle the current challenges. He advocated for the bill’s amendments to introduce more robust deterrents against criminal activities by Nigerians abroad, thereby promoting national accountability and improving Nigeria’s international reputation.
The legislation proposes that any Nigerian convicted of a crime overseas will have their passport revoked for ten years, a deterrent designed to discourage unlawful conduct and uphold the nation’s dignity.
In closing, the senator underscored that this amendment offers a crucial chance for Nigeria to demonstrate its dedication to good governance and the global fight against crime.