The Nigerian Senate has taken a decisive step to strip international passports from Nigerians convicted of crimes abroad, mandating a ten-year ban once their foreign sentence is served. The amendment, sponsored by Senator Abubakar Bello (APC — Niger North), seeks changes to the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act to make it mandatory that anyone convicted in a foreign jurisdiction loses access to their passport for a full decade after release. During Senate floor debate, Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo, speaking for the sponsor, argued that the measure is essential to restore Nigeria’s diminished global reputation. He lamented that the green passport, once a symbol of pride, has become “widely disrespected” in international transit. He stated:> “Innocent and patriotic Nigerians suffer harassment in airports, visa denials and constant suspicion simply because of the actions of a few.” The bill passed its second reading by voice vote and was sent to the Senate Committee on Interior for further deliberation and public hearing. Senate President Godswill Akpabio lent his support, framing the legislation as a bold move to protect national dignity. He recalled cases where non-Nigerians, under the guise of Nigerian passports, committed crimes abroad — tarnishing the country’s image and complicating visa protocols against Nigerians. Given the unanimous floor support, the bill is expected to move swiftly through hearings and onward to the House of Representatives. If passed and signed into law, Nigeria would join a few countries that legally sanction citizens convicted in foreign lands as a matter of national image and deterrence. The legislation aims to send a firm message: that criminal conduct abroad has domestic consequences, and Nigeria remains committed to restoring the respect and integrity of the green passport on the global stage.
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