Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says Nigerians living abroad can travel back home using expired Nigerian passports, and renew the documents after arrival. The clarification is aimed at people planning end-of-year trips, when many travellers seek to complete travel and document processes.
The NIS explains that a valid passport is not required solely for the journey back, as renewal can be handled once the holder is in Nigeria. In communications cited by outlets, the service also says that passport renewal arrangements at the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom are not disrupted by an ongoing “passport intervention,” with appointments continuing as scheduled. It further notes that the contactless passport application platform remains operational, allowing applicants who prefer not to visit offices in person to renew remotely through the app.
The outlets agree on the core message from NIS: expired passports can be used to return, while renewal should be completed after arrival in Nigeria, supported by available appointment and online processes.
