NIS considers issuing multiple passports to high net-worth individuals

Muhammad Babandede, comptroller general of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says it is considering the idea of issuing multiple standard passports to high net-worth Nigerians who are frequent flyers.

The CG made this known in while speaking at an engagement that held at the NIS office in Ikoyi, Lagos.

He said businessmen and frequent travellers have complained to the service about having passports trapped at embassies and high commissions as they seek to get visas to travel to different countries while having many businesses to attend to at the same time.

He said the issuance of multiple standard international passports would eliminate the constraint of possessing a single passport.

However, Babandede assured that the issuance would be subjected to rigorous scrutiny for individuals who do not pose security problems.

Speaking on the collection rate, he said there were over 70,000 international passports uncollected at the service’s passports offices nationwide.

He attributed the figure to a fraudulent declaration of lost passports by some Nigerians, either to escape justice or irrational excuses.

Babandede also said Nigerians declare their passports missing in order to meet up with visa requirements at some embassies or high commissions.

On the incident that happened at the London high commission, he said the service is already making plans to partner private sector players to establish passport offices in countries where Nigeria does not have embassies and diplomatic relations.

“London is our busiest immigration outlet in Europe. The young man in London came after the timeline had lapsed. He started attacking people and destroying property, it is not right, he is tarnishing the image of Nigeria,” THE NATION quoted him to have said.

“He should be calm and have control over his social and emotional intelligence.

“When you apply, there should be a self-addressed envelope …to reduce the incidence in London. The NIS has learnt lessons from that experience; it is an opportunity to learn to improve service.”