Nigerians in Diaspora stranded over expired passports

Many Nigerians abroad have remained stranded due to the non-replacement of their international passports months after they expired.

One of the concerned Nigerians based in Belize told Tribune Online that he completed the process of renewing his passport over three months ago but was yet to get the document.

“Belize is covered by the Nigerian Mission in Jamaica. The officers from Jamaica came to capture the details of passport renewal applicants in Belize City as far back as June 8, 2021. We are yet to get our passports.

“What is happening? No one is talking to us. How can we get it soon? Many of us are stranded as we cannot travel with expired passports,” the applicant, who did not want to be named, told Tribune Online.

It will be recalled that the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, sometime ago announced that Nigerians in the Diaspora who arrived in the country on expired passports could have their passports renewed immediately at the airports.

“Nigerians who arrive in the country on expired passports can have their passports renewed immediately,” said the minister. He said the establishment of front offices for the renewal had been approved at four international airports,

He, however, gave no commencement date for the measure.