Section 16: Application for refugee status in Nigeria.

(1) Application for the grant of refugee status shall be made -
(a) directly to the Federal Commissioner; or
(b) through a competent officer or the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Nigeria to the Federal Commissioner.
(2) The competent officer to whom a person seeking asylum or refugee status first appeared shall, where the person is not an immigration officer, promptly notify the Commission that a person seeking asylum or refugee status has entered into or is present in Nigeria.
(3) The Eligibility Committee may invite an applicant to appear before it.
(4) The recommendation of the Eligibility Committee shall be communicated in writing to the applicant by the Federal Commissioner.
(5) Where the Eligibility Committee recommends that the applicant shall not be granted refugee status, it shall give reasons for its decision.
(6) In the case of a refusal to grant refugee status, the applicant may appeal against the decision of the Eligibility Committee to the Appeal Board, within 30 days of being notified of the refusal.
(7) An applicant shall be allowed to remain in Nigeria while waiting for the final decision of the Appeal Board.
(8) Where an applicant is refused refugee status by the Appeal Board, the applicant shall be given 30 days to seek admission as a refugee into another country.