Niger North Senator and Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Distinguished Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, has sponsored 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.
Speaking on behalf of Senator Sani Bello, Senator Onawo said the amendment was designed to address the growing international stigmatisation of Nigerian passport holders, which has led to 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,” Senator Sani Bello emphasised.
He 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.
Supporting the bill, Senator Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa Northwest) said the ease of obtaining Nigerian passports had 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 similar views, stressing the need for stronger legislative safeguards and enforcement mechanisms to restore the prestige of the Nigerian passport.
Senate President 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 protecting 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 a key driver of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 4D Foreign Policy Framework (Diaspora, Development, Demography, and Democracy). Through his legislative initiatives, he continues to advance Nigeria’s diplomatic renaissance by promoting policies that enhance the country’s image abroad.
