Alleged Passport Service Disruption: FENRAD Condemns ‘Undemocratic’ Move Targeting South-East

Alleged Passport Service Disruption: FENRAD Condemns ‘Undemocratic’ Move Targeting South-East

The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has raised alarm over what it described as an alleged disruption and centralisation of international passport production services affecting Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone.
In a press statement issued on Monday and signed by Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, Executive Director of FENRAD, the frontline human rights and pro-democracy organisation expressed “deep concern” over reports that passport services in the South-East have been disrupted, while operations in other regions of the country reportedly continue uninterrupted.
FENRAD described the development, if allowed to persist, as “undemocratic, anti-people and regionally discriminatory,” warning that such unequal application of public policy undermines constitutional guarantees of fairness, equity and equal citizenship.
The organisation noted that freedom of movement, equality before the law and non-discrimination are protected under the Nigerian Constitution, as well as international human rights instruments including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
Reforms Must Not Marginalise Any Region
While acknowledging the Federal Government’s stated commitment to reforming and modernising passport administration nationwide, FENRAD cautioned that reforms must not impose disproportionate hardship on any geopolitical zone.
“Reforms that result in unequal access to essential public services cease to be reforms and instead become tools of exclusion and marginalisation,” the statement read.
The group stressed that millions of residents in the South-East depend on international mobility for trade, education, healthcare, family reunification and legitimate business activities. Any administrative action that restricts timely access to passports in the region, it argued, could have serious economic and social consequences.
Concerns Over Equal Citizenship
FENRAD questioned reports suggesting that citizens of the South-East may be compelled to travel long distances to other regions to access passport services, thereby incurring additional costs and inconvenience.
According to the organisation, such a situation would create unequal burdens and reinforce perceptions of second-class citizenship in a democratic society.
“Freedom of movement and access to public services are fundamental rights protected under both domestic and international law. Any administrative restructuring that undermines these rights, whether intentionally or by consequence, must be urgently reviewed,” it stated.
Call for Transparency and Engagement
Referencing longstanding concerns about structural marginalisation of the South-East, FENRAD urged the Federal Government to exercise transparency, consultation and sensitivity in implementing policies affecting the region.
The organisation warned that actions perceived as isolating the South-East could deepen mistrust, heighten social tension and threaten national unity.
FENRAD called on the Federal Government and the Nigeria Immigration Service to:
Provide immediate and clear public clarification on the status of passport production and issuance services in the South-East.
Ensure prompt restoration and maintenance of full passport services within the region, pending any nationwide reforms.
Guarantee equitable application of administrative reforms across all geopolitical zones.
Engage civil society organisations and affected communities before implementing policies with wide-reaching social and economic implications.
Ensure full compliance with national laws and international human rights obligations, particularly the ICCPR and ACHPR.
The organisation reaffirmed its solidarity with the people of the South-East and reiterated its commitment to defending equity, dignity, freedom of movement and equal access to public services.
“Nigerian citizenship must carry equal value in every part of the country. Any action, real or perceived, that undermines this equality is a threat to democracy, national unity and social justice,” the statement concluded.