Backlash Forces NDLEA to Remove Husband Consent Requirement for Married Women Seeking Visa

A controversial requirement by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) that mandated married Nigerian women to provide a letter of approval from their husbands before receiving a visa clearance certificate has stirred significant backlash.

The rule, which had required married women to submit their husband’s consent, along with a passport photograph, before being cleared for international travel, quickly drew criticism across social media platforms, with many calling the policy outdated and discriminatory.

Critics highlighted that no such requirement was placed on married men, sparking debates on women’s rights and autonomy. One viral tweet expressed frustration, stating: “NDLEA’s visa clearance requires that a married woman should bring a letter of approval from her husband along with his passport photograph. There is no such rule for men. This is such disgusting government-sponsored misogyny. Are married women children?”

Responding swiftly to the uproar, NDLEA, on Thursday, October 10, announced that the rule had been scrapped. In an official statement, the agency confirmed that the requirement for married women to present their husband’s approval had been removed from the visa clearance process.

The NDLEA clarified that the initial inclusion of the rule was based on specific concerns in certain countries but assured the public that it was no longer mandatory. The visa clearance certificate itself serves as proof that an individual has no drug-related convictions in Nigeria, a prerequisite for entry into certain countries.