Plans to redeem Nigeria passport image uncover
..As Senator Sanni Bello's bill passport act amendment scales a second reading
SENATOR SANI BELLO’S BILL TO REDEEM NIGERIA’S GLOBAL IMAGE: PASSPORT ACT AMENDMENT SCALES SECOND READIN
Niger North Senator and Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Distinguished Senator Abubakar Sani Bello sponsors a Bill aimed at restoring Nigeria’s global image. The Bill seeks to amend the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. P343, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to introduce stronger measures that will preserve the integrity of the Nigerian passport and protect the dignity of citizens abroad.
On Tuesday, the bill (SB. 570) successfully scaled Second Reading during Plenary. Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo (Nasarawa South) presented the bill on behalf of Senator Sani Bello who is on an oversight assignment with the Senate Committee on Communications in South Africa.
Sen. Oshinowo, on behalf of Sen. Sani Bello, stressed that the amendment is designed to combat the growing international stigmatisation of Nigerian passport holders, which has resulted in increased visa restrictions and negative profiling.
“Innocent and patriotic Nigerians are being denied entry, discriminated against, and profiled simply because of the green passport. This bill seeks to correct that anomaly and restore our dignity and integrity as a nation,” Sen. Sani Bello emphasized.
He further noted that countries such as Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have imposed strict entry rules on Nigerians, largely due to the criminal activities of a few individuals.
Senator Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa Northwest) supported the motion, highlighting that the ease of obtaining Nigerian passports has been exploited by criminal elements, including foreigners impersonating Nigerians abroad.
“Nigerians of all backgrounds have been disrespected in foreign lands. Some crimes committed by other nationalities are wrongly attributed to Nigerians due to weak verification systems. This amendment is overdue,” he said.
Several lawmakers echoed this sentiment, underscoring the need for stronger legislative safeguards and enforcement mechanisms to restore the prestige of the Nigerian passport.
The President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, commended Senator Sani Bello and his colleagues for sponsoring the bill, noting that it aligns with the Senate’s broader commitment to defending Nigeria’s image and citizens in the diaspora. The bill was subsequently referred to the Committees on Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Judiciary for further legislative work, with a report expected within six weeks.
Over the past two years, Senator Sani Bello has been one of the strong drivers of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 4D Foreign Policy Framework (Diaspora, Development, Demography, and Democracy). Through his legislative initiatives to serve as an asset in advancing Nigeria’s diplomatic renaissance, leveraging wisdom, experience, and patriotism to champion policies that polish Nigeria’s image abroad.
Muawiyah Yusuf Muye
Media Adviser to Senator Abubakar Sani Bello.
….As Senator Sanni Bello’s bill passport act amendment scales a second reading
