Visa clearance: NDLEA trashes husband approval letter for women

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has cancelled its requirement mandating Nigerian married women to obtain husband’s approval before they could obtain visa clearance, considered by some women as a glaring form of discrimination.

The Director of Media and Advocacy of NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi, made the announcement in a statement dated October 10, 2024, and published on the agency’s X handle page.

The announcement, tagged “Public Notice”, reads:

“The entire procedure for visa clearance issued by the NDLEA as required by some countries is currently undergoing review.

“The requirement for a married woman to present a letter of approval from her husband to travel is one of the items that the Agency has since jettisoned as a non-mandatory item on the list.

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

“Members of the public are assured that the item has been deleted from the list of requirements in the ongoing review exercise, which will be made public in the coming days.”

What the NDLEA visa clearance requirement stated

The NDLEA visa clearance requirement stated that married women must bring a letter of approval to travel from their husband before they could obtain visa clearance certificate.

It also required women to attach husband’s passport photograph in the visa clearance letter.

The certificate, on the other hand, according to NDLEA, is meant to prove that the individual has not been convicted of any drug-related offenses in Nigeria.

In the tweet, Femi said: “The entire procedure for visa clearance issued by the NDLEA as required by some countries is currently undergoing review.

“The requirement for a married woman to present a letter of approval from her husband to travel out, is one of the items that the agency has since jettisoned as a non-mandatory item on the list.”

He assures the members of the public that the discriminatory item has been deleted from the list of requirements in the ongoing review exercise, which will be made public in the coming days.

Earlier before the tweet, the requirement had generated a lot of controversies among Nigerians, as many women observed that there are no such rules for men.

Many Nigerians have questioned the connection between women obtaining approval from their husbands and the NDLEA’s fight against drug-related offenses.

Critics argue that this policy is discriminatory, undermining women’s autonomy.

They also argue that the visa clearance requirement infringes on their right to movement as freeborn citizens.

According to records, this is not the first time Nigerian women have faced such “discriminatory” restrictions.

In 2009, the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) had required married women to obtain written consent from their husbands before applying for an international passport.

The policy was challenged in court and ultimately declared unconstitutional.

Women react to the requirement

Reacting to the visa clearance requirement, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC) raised alarm on perceived gender inequality.

Writing on X (formerly Twitter), it stated:  “When we raise an alarm on gender inequality, this is one of the reasons.

“Why do men not need this?

“The NDLEA VISA Clearance certificate required only women to bring a letter of approval from their husbands.”

Also, Big Chief Wendy on her X handle page said:

“NDLEA’s visa clearance requirements of married women husband’s approval to travel out is a disgusting government sponsored gender discrimination.

“Are married women children? There’s no such rule for men,” she fumed.

Besides, Catalyst on his X handle said about the visa clearance certificate:

“Requiring an NDLEA visa clearance as a prerequisite for women to travel out will only further damage Nigeria’s reputation.

“Why are we accepting unnecessary hurdles?”

Wild Card, also on his X handle, said:

“I think we all agree that it is a funny requirement for anything anywhere.

“I know that the NDLEA is changing the list already.”

Although NDLEA has released a statement saying that the requirement has been deleted, Nigerians still cry foul.

They highlighted the need for a review of laws and policies that discriminate against women in the country.

“It is essential to promote gender equality, address gender-based inequalities, and empower women to participate in decision-making processes, a source said.

About NDLEA

History

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is a federal agency in Nigeria responsible for enforcing laws related to drug trafficking, abuse, and cultivation.

It was established in 1989 by Decree 48 now Act 30 of 1989 constitution.

Mandate

NDLEA enforces laws related to drug trafficking, abuse and cultivation, including issuance of visa clearance certificate.

Also, it prevents, investigates, and prosecutes drug-related offenses.

Besides, the agency collaborates with international organizations to combat global drug trafficking, and educate the public on drug dangers and promote healthy lifestyles.

Structure

The structure of the NDLEA comprises of the Chief Executive, Board members, Director-General, Zonal Commands, State Commands, and the Special Tasks Force.

Functions

The agency performs the function of drug Interdiction and seizure, arresting and prosecuting drug offenders.

Also, it reduces drug demand through treatment and rehabilitation, and also check drug supply by preventing cultivation and trafficking.

Achievements

The anti-drug agency has arrested over 52,901 alleged drug traffickers, including 48 barons.

It has also obtained over 9,000 convictions of suspects in the last three years.

The agency also established 14 zonal commands and 36 state commands.

It collaborates with international partners like United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC).

It also partners with International Criminal Police Organizations (InterPol), hence the need for visa clearance certificate.

Challenges

According to research, NDLEA faces limited resources and funding, with corruption and compromise among officials.

Also, it experiences sophisticated drug trafficking networks, increasing drug abuse among youths.

Reforms and Initiatives

NDLEA has been able to introduce Drug Integrity Test (DIT) for suspects.

Also, it established National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP).

Besides, the agency launched the “Operation Python Dance” against drug trafficking, while it partners with NGOs for demand reduction programs.

Controversies

The narcotics agency has faced allegations of human rights abuses, accusations of extortion and corruption.

The latest was the recent controversy over married women’s visa clearance certificate requirement in Nigeria.

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