Nigerian Passport Stigma Is A Burden Passed Down Generations — Yemi Alade
Nigerian singer Yemi Alade has opened up about the difficulties of travelling with a Nigerian passport, describing it as a burden inherited across generations.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC, the 'Johnny' crooner recounted how she has been subjected to immense scrutiny at immigration checkpoints solely because of her nationality.
Alade shared that the stigma attached to the green passport often results in Nigerians being treated with suspicion and subjected to extra questioning, even when they have legitimate travel plans.
She recalled instances where officials became more alert upon seeing her passport, demanding to know why she was travelling.
She also revealed that she has been accused of not resembling her passport photo and questioned extensively about her itinerary, despite being on international tours.
She said:
"I feel like the struggle and stigma of the green Nigerian passport has been passed on from generation to generation, and in my generation I've also had to face the bias that I don't have any hand in."
"To be in a queue with other nationals and you see them going through easily until your green passport comes up and then the official sits up and suddenly work has started because you are coming with a Nigerian passport and they want to know why you are here."
"At some point they will even say you don't look like your picture. I have experienced it before because I travel a lot. They are like, 'Why did you land in London today and then you're going to Paris, and you're going to come back to London tomorrow? You are up to something.'"
"I get to the customs, but unfortunately the customs official is my fan and knows I'm on tour."