Court docket to rule in February on husband consent for wives’ passport renewal

A Federal Excessive Court docket in Ibadan has adjourned till Feb. 24 the listening to on a authorized problem in opposition to the Nigeria Immigration Service’s (NIS) coverage requiring wives to acquire their husband’s consent earlier than renewing their passports.

The swimsuit additionally contests NIS’s observe mandating that youngsters beneath 18 should safe their father’s approval earlier than passport renewal, in keeping with Information Company of Nigeria(NAN).

Justice Nkeonye Maha adjourned the case after the applicant’s counsel, Mr. Oguaba, knowledgeable the court docket that listening to notices had been served on respondents twice, first in Could and later in October 2025.

Oguaba argued that the proceedings might proceed with out NIS’s presence, citing sections of the regulation, because the company had been duly notified however opted to not seem.

What they’re saying 

Regardless of this, Justice Maha dominated that contemporary listening to notices should be served to the respondents, prompting the adjournment. Alongside NIS, the Legal professional-Basic of the Federation (AGF) can also be named as a respondent within the matter.

The applicant, Mrs. Chibuzo Oguaba, by her husband and authorized counsel, argued that the coverage violates Part 42 of the 1999 Structure (as amended), which prohibits discrimination based mostly on intercourse, circumstances of beginning, and different grounds.

“The applicant sought to resume her passport and people of her youngsters. On the immigration workplace in Ibadan, the passport controller insisted she acquire her husband’s consent regardless of presenting all different required paperwork. The kids had been equally requested to get their father’s consent. We take into account this discriminatory,” Oguaba instructed the court docket.

Backstory 

Recall that in October 2024, Nairametrics reported on the same controversy involving the Nationwide Drug Legislation Enforcement Company (NDLEA), which launched a requirement for married ladies in search of visas to current a letter of approval from their husbands.

• The stipulation, a part of the NDLEA’s up to date visa necessities, sparked widespread debate over gender equality and particular person autonomy.
• Critics highlighted that such guidelines, together with the necessity for passport pictures, replicate outdated views on ladies’s rights and independence, doubtlessly limiting their freedom to journey.

What it’s best to know 

The case has drawn consideration to gender-based restrictions inside Nigeria’s passport issuance processes, sparking debate on the stability between administrative procedures and constitutional rights.

• This word that if the court docket guidelines in favour of the applicant, it might set a precedent difficult discriminatory practices in opposition to ladies and minors in accessing important authorities providers.
• The listening to will resume on Feb. 24, 2026, when the court docket is anticipated to contemplate submissions from either side and decide whether or not the present NIS coverage aligns with constitutional protections in opposition to discrimination.