Bill Sponsor: Sen. Bello, Sani Abubakar (Niger North).
Bill Progress: Second Reading
In a move aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s global standing, the Nigerian Senate has introduced the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, officially designated as SB. 570. The bill seeks to implement measures that preserve the image of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the international stage.
The primary objective of the bill, is “to amend the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Cap. P343 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 to provide for measures towards preserving the image of the Federal Republic of Nigeria globally; and for other related matters.”
While specific details regarding the proposed amendments remain under wraps, it is expected that the bill will enhance existing provisions originally aimed at combating passport-related offences. These include addressing issues such as multiple valid passports, forgery, and fraudulent declarations. The amendments could potentially introduce new offences or increase penalties to better deter actions that could harm Nigeria’s global image.
Additionally, the legislation may focus on modernizing the legal framework to align with international standards for passport security and integrity. This aligns with recent reforms by the Nigerian Immigration Service to improve transparency and enhance the security features of Nigerian passports, including the implementation of the Enhanced e-Passport.
Another critical aspect of the amendment is expected to be the establishment of stronger legal consequences for the misuse of Nigerian passports, particularly actions that may negatively impact the country’s reputation abroad.
As the Senate prepares for further discussions on the bill, the proposed amendments signal a strategic push to enhance Nigeria’s standing in the international community through more stringent passport regulations.
