By: Philip Adeboye
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced changes to its visa clearance process, including the removal of a controversial requirement that had sparked public outcry.
The rule, which required married women to submit an approval letter from their husbands as part of their visa applications, faced widespread criticism on social media, with many labeling it outdated and discriminatory.
In response to the backlash, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi issued a statement on Thursday, confirming that the agency had reviewed the procedure and discarded the requirement.
“The entire procedure for visa clearance issued by the NDLEA, as required by some countries, is currently under review, and the requirement for a married woman to present a letter of approval from her husband to travel is one of the items the Agency has since discarded as a non-mandatory requirement,” the notice read. Babafemi further explained that the requirement was originally included due to specific concerns from certain countries but assured the public that it had now been removed.
The updated visa clearance procedures will be made public in the coming days.