Senate Approves Bill Imposing 10-Year Passport Ban on Nigerians Convicted Abroad!

Senate Approves Bill Imposing 10-Year Passport Ban on Nigerians Convicted Abroad!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday passed a critical bill seeking to bar Nigerians convicted of crimes abroad from obtaining international passports for a minimum of 10 years. The legislation aims to curb criminal reputational damage linked to Nigeria on the global stage.

Key Highlights:

• The bill proposes the revocation and denial of international travel documents for Nigerians found guilty of criminal activities outside the country.
• Offenders would face a 10-year restriction on passport issuance or renewal, as part of efforts to deter illicit behavior and protect national image.
• Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized that the bill sends a strong message that Nigeria will no longer “turn a blind eye to its citizens tarnishing the country’s reputation globally.”

Why It Matters:

• Nigeria has faced international scrutiny due to high-profile fraud, drug, and cybercrime cases involving its nationals abroad.
• The new law aims to reinforce accountability while promoting law-abiding conduct among Nigerian citizens overseas.

Next Steps:

• The bill will now be transmitted to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
• If passed and signed into law by the President, it will empower Nigerian embassies, consulates, and immigration to enforce the passport restrictions.

Sources:

1. Channels TV: channelstv.com/news/senate-approves-bill-passport-ban
2. Premium Times: premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/632849-senate-passes-bill-passport-ban-nigerians-convicted-abroad
3. The Cable: thecable.ng/senate-votes-for-passport-ban-on-convicted-nigerians-overseas

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

editor

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Editor-in-Chief of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

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