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NDLEA Amends Visa Clearance Procedures, Drops Controversial Requirement For Married Women

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NDLEA Amends Visa Clearance Procedures, Drops Controversial Requirement For Married Women

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced adjustments to its visa clearance process, removing a previously mandatory requirement for married women to present an approval letter from their husbands.

News About Nigeria reported that this policy had sparked criticism across social media, with many describing it as outdated and discriminatory.

In a statement on Thursday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed that the agency is actively reviewing its entire visa clearance protocol, which is necessary for citizens applying to travel to certain countries.

Babafemi added that the husband approval requirement had initially been introduced to address specific concerns raised by some of these “source countries” but assured that it is no longer a part of the visa clearance requirements.

Babafemi explained, “The entire procedure for visa clearance issued by the NDLEA as required by some countries is currently undergoing review, and the requirements for a married woman to present a letter of approval from her husband to travel are one of the items the agency has since jettisoned as mandatory items on the list.

“The inclusion of that item abinitio arose following some ugly developments in some source countries.

“Members of the public are assured that the items have been deleted from the list of requirements.”

The NDLEA’s visa clearance certificate, issued at the request of certain countries, certifies that the applicant has no record of drug-related offenses in Nigeria.

The agency’s requirement applies to eight countries where such clearance remains essential: Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Brazil, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Russia.