Immigration clarifies passport renewal policy for married women

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has clarified its policies regarding passport renewal for married Nigerian women, following a viral tweet by a user, Ijeoma, who expressed her frustration over alleged requirements for her husband’s identification during the renewal process.

In her tweet, Ijeoma questioned the alleged policy, asking how such requirements could jeopardise women’s safety and autonomy.

Ijeoma wrote, “Hello @nigimmigration, why does a married Nigerian woman need to attach her husband’s passport page or proof of her husband’s identity before she can renew her passport? Is this really the new policy you’re following? Is everything okay? This is official policy?!

“You already demand proof from local govt, and population office, why does a woman need to attach her husband’s identity to her own before she can renew her passport? This country looks for ways to invalidate women’s existence everyday. We are people too.”

Ijeoma also questioned why proof of her identity, such as her birth certificate and National Identification Number (NIN), would be deemed insufficient for passport renewal without her husband’s documentation, even while she navigated a divorce.

She added:”I have a birth certificate that proves who I am. Information on my NIN proves my identity, yet because my old passport carries my married name, I have to attach my husband’s passport page or proof of his identity? What if I’m divorced? So I’m no longer Nigerian?!”

Popular Nigerian content creator on YouTube, Yemisi Odusanya, professionally known as SisiYemmie, also responded to Ijeoma’s tweet, saying, “I wanted to renew my passport and that’s what I was told… just yesterday. I was bamboozled.”

In response, the NIS clarified via an official tweet that there is no requirement for a married Nigerian woman to attach her husband’s passport page or proof of his identity solely for passport renewal.

“Please be assured that there is no requirement for a married Nigerian woman to attach her husband’s passport page or proof of his identity in order to renew her passport. This is not an official policy,” NIS wrote.

“Nigerian International Passport renewal process remains based on the individual’s identity documents. Any claims suggesting otherwise are incorrect.”

NIS noted that passport renewal processes are based on individual identity documents such as the applicant’s National Identification Number (NIN), birth certificate, and local government certificate of origin.

NIS did, however, list scenarios where a married woman is required to provide the international passport data page/NIN of her husband.

“Of the 4 scenarios, only in two situations is a married woman required to provide the International passport data page/NIN of her husband.

“For Change of Data (Due to Marriage):
“A Nigerian female with an existing passport who intends to obtain a new passport with the new surname of her husband (upon marriage), needs to get amongst other things, the following documents:

“Newspaper publication of change of name due to marriage
– Wife’s Passport Datapage
– Marriage certificate
– Husband’s passport data page/ or NIN slip
– NIN Slip
– Local government certificate of origin
– Birth Certificate/ Declaration of Age

“For Change of Data (Due to Divorce)
Amongst other documents, a divorced woman should present in reverting to her maiden name, are:

– Decree Absolute
– International passport Datapage
– Newspaper publication to that effect
– NIN Slip
– Local government of origin certificate
– Birth Certificate/ Declaration of Age

“For parents wanting to obtain international passports for their children, amongst the documents required include:

– consent letter countersigned by parent(s)
– International passport data page of parent(s)
– NIN Slip
– Local government certificate of origin
– Birth Certificate/ Declaration of Age

“For renewal for married women who are not changing name, required documents includes:

– Expired international passport data page
– ⁠NIN Slip
– Local government certificate of origin
– Birth Certificate/ Declaration of Age”

NIS added, “Kindly be informed that each passport application has defined requirements regarding the type and number of documents that applicants are required to submit.

“We encourage you to verify all information directly with the Nigeria Immigration Service via official channels to avoid any confusion or misinformation. Check the FAQs/SLA Tabs on http://immigration.gov.ng for guidance.”