Eko Hot Blog reports that the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has defended its decision to demand proof of state of origin from passport applicants, emphasizing that the requirement is backed by government laws and policies.
The Service’s clarification comes in response to concerns raised over the alleged need for applicants to obtain a letter from their states of origin, even for passport renewals.
Tayo Oviosu, a Twitter user, had questioned the logic behind such a policy, particularly for individuals with limited ties to their states of origin.
In his tweet, Oviosu expressed frustration, stating, “I gathered that now, to renew your passport, you need to get a letter from your state of origin showing that you are from there. What sort of stupid policy is this? So I should go to Edo State, which I have visited two or three times max, to get a document? How would they know I am from there? We create our own problems.”
In its response, the NIS acknowledged the concern and clarified that physical travel to one’s state of origin is not mandatory for obtaining the required indigeneship document. “First off, you do not necessarily need to go to your state of origin to get the ‘indigeneship document,'” the Service stated. It further explained that most states have liaison offices in other states, such as Anambra state’s offices in Lagos (Eti-Osa) and Abuja (Asokoro), which are empowered to issue such documents.
The NIS emphasized that every document required from passport applicants is carefully considered and backed by certain laws and policy documents approved by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Interior. “It is quite important, especially based on certain intel that we have (but cannot disclose publicly), that anyone, a Nigerian of course, who wishes to obtain a Nigerian passport – a document of authority for identification and travel – must prove beyond reasonable doubt, that he/she is a Nigerian citizen,” the Service stated.
According to the NIS, for an applicant’s claim of being a Nigerian citizen to hold water, there must be a document that ties them to a local government (indigenous area) within the country. “This document is what we request that applicants present to us, amongst others, to authenticate their claim of being a citizen,” the Service explained.
The NIS also advised Oviosu to read up on the particular part of the Nigerian Constitution that deals with citizenship for better clarity on the issue. “So sir, we hope that with these few points of ours, we have been able to convince and not confuse you,” the Service concluded.
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