Nigerians will soon be required to show evidence of tax payment before obtaining their passports.
Any Nigerian who either wants to apply for a new passport or renew an old one will have to show evidence of being a tax payer, Mr Fowler said.
“We did take a position and I believe it would be implemented in the very near future that before you get any services from the immigration department: renewal of passports etc, you’d have to show that you are a tax payer,” Mr Fowler said. “These things are normal all over the world and it would help us to serve Nigerians and Nigeria better.”
He added: “People believe that payment of tax is a burden and I’ll repeat that you only pay tax on income and profits. So, if you reside in Nigeria and you are benefiting from being a Nigerian resident, it is only fair that you contribute to the system that makes you enjoy that standard of living.’’
Following complaints from Nigerians, the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS) Muhammad Babandede has revealed that the validity period of international passport will be extended to 10 years.