The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), a prominent human rights and pro-democracy organisation in Nigeria’s South-East, has expressed serious concern over reports of alleged disruption and centralisation of international passport production services affecting the region.
The group warned that if the situation continues, it could amount to an undemocratic, anti-people and regionally discriminatory practice.
In a statement, FENRAD noted with deep worry that the reported disruption appears to disproportionately impact citizens in the South-East, while passport services in other parts of the country are said to be functioning normally.
According to the organisation in a press release signed by its executive director comrade Nnanna Nwafor, such uneven implementation of public policy undermines the constitutional principles of fairness, equity and equal citizenship, and contradicts international human rights standards, including provisions in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), which guarantee equality before the law, non-discrimination and freedom of movement.
The group acknowledged the Federal Government’s intention to reform and modernise passport administration nationwide but stressed that reforms must not be executed in ways that impose disproportionate hardship on any geopolitical zone.
FENRAD warned that reforms which lead to unequal access to essential public services risk becoming instruments of exclusion and marginalisation rather than genuine improvements.
Highlighting the economic and social implications, FENRAD noted that millions of residents of the South-East depend on international travel for business, education, healthcare and family obligations. It argued that any administrative action that restricts timely access to passports in the region undermines national and international human rights protections while harming livelihoods and economic activity.
The organisation also questioned the fairness of a system that may compel South-East residents to travel long distances and incur additional expenses to obtain passports, while similar services remain accessible within other regions. It described such a situation as creating unequal burdens and fostering perceptions of second-class citizenship, which it said is unacceptable in a democratic society.
Given historical concerns about structural marginalisation of the South-East, FENRAD urged government authorities to act with transparency, consultation and sensitivity. The group warned that policies perceived as isolating the region could deepen mistrust, heighten social tensions and undermine national unity.
FENRAD therefore called on the Federal Government and the Nigeria Immigration Service to provide immediate public clarification on the status of passport production and issuance services affecting the South-East; restore and maintain full passport services in the region pending any nationwide reforms; ensure equitable application of administrative changes across all geopolitical zones; engage civil society organisations and affected communities in policy decisions; and guarantee compliance with both national laws and international human rights obligations.
The organisation concluded that Nigerian citizenship must hold equal value across all regions and warned that any action perceived as undermining this principle threatens democracy, unity and social justice. FENRAD reaffirmed its commitment to defending equity, dignity, freedom of movement and equal access to public services.
The statement was signed by Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, Executive Director of the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD).
