Senate Okays Over Nine Years' Passport Ban for Nigerians Convicted Abroad

The Nigerian Senate has advanced a bill proposing the suspension of international passports for citizens convicted of crimes overseas, to restore the global reputation of the country’s travel document.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Abubakar Bello representing Niger North, successfully passed its second reading on Tuesday. 

It seeks to amend the existing Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act to ensure that any Nigerian found guilty of criminal offences abroad loses their passport rights for at least a decade after completing their sentence.

Senator Onawo Ogwoshi, who presented the bill on behalf of Bello, said the measure was necessary to curb the increasing embarrassment caused by the criminal activities of some Nigerians abroad.

“This bill is a wake-up call,” Ogwoshi stated during plenary. “Our green passport, which used to command respect, is now viewed with suspicion in many countries because of the misconduct of a few. 

"Innocent Nigerians are being profiled, denied visas, and treated unfairly at airports. That must change.”

He explained that the consistent involvement of Nigerians in criminal networks across different countries had led to stricter visa regulations and tarnished the image of the nation internationally.

“Every time a Nigerian is convicted abroad, it affects millions of law-abiding citizens who struggle to prove their integrity,” Ogwoshi added. “We cannot continue to allow the actions of a few to define who we are as a people.”

If enacted, the bill would empower relevant authorities to withdraw or suspend the passports of offenders for not less than ten years after their release from prison. 

Lawmakers say the proposal is not only punitive but also corrective, meant to discourage others from engaging in acts that bring the country into disrepute.

Political analysts believe the bill reflects growing concerns over Nigeria’s global image and could mark a turning point in how the country handles cases involving its citizens abroad.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Interior for further legislative action before it is returned for third reading and final passage.