Niger Delta Rights Advocates Call for End to International Passport Subsidy
The Niger Delta Rights Advocates (NDRA), a non-governmental organization in the Niger Delta, has urged the Ministry of Interior to discontinue the international passport subsidy regime. The group, led by Bright Ngolo, suggests that the subsidy be added to inmates' welfare at the Nigeria Correctional Services (NCoS) or deployed to arms and ammunition for the Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS). This proposal comes as the Interior Ministry, under Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has cleared over N25billion obligation incurred by his predecessors on the importation of Nigerian passports.
Key Takeaways:
- The Niger Delta Rights Advocates (NDRA) has called for the immediate stop to international passport subsidy.
- The group suggests that the subsidy be added to inmates' welfare at the Nigeria Correctional Services (NCoS).
- The subsidy can also be deployed to arms and ammunition for the Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS).
- The NDRA proposal comes as the Interior Ministry has cleared over N25billion obligation incurred by his predecessors on the importation of Nigerian passports.
- The group suggests that the subsidy should not be allocated to those who have already initiated their passport application processes prior to the new price regime scheduled to kick off on September 1, 2025.
- Nigerians have the option of acquiring an ECOWAS card for travel within the West African sub-region, reducing the pressure on international passports.
Statistics:
- N25billion: The amount of obligation incurred by predecessors of Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on the importation of Nigerian passports.
- 255: The number of correctional facilities across the country.
- 2025: The year in which the new price regime for international passports is scheduled to kick off.
- September 1, 2025: The date on which the new price regime for international passports is scheduled to commence.
Sources:
- NDRA (no date)
- "NDRA Advises FG to End International Passport Subsidy" (no date)