NIS launches contactless passport in Europe Friday
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Nigeria Immigration Service has announced plans to launch the contactless passport application system in Europe with the United Kingdom serving as the coordinating centre on Friday, February 7, 2024.
The initiative is said to enable Nigerians in the Diaspora to apply for and renew their passports online from the comfort of their homes.
The launch of the new initiative followed the roll-out of the contactless passport application system in Canada on 5th November 2024.
This was contained in a statement by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
It reads, “Mrs Kemi Nanna Nandap, Comptroller General, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has announced that NIS is set to launch the contactless passport application solution in Europe, with UK serving as the coordinating centre on February 7.
“The Comptroller General announced this on Tuesday when she paid a courtesy call on Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission at NiDCOM headquarters in Abuja.”
“This initiative set for launch on 7th of February 2025 will enable Nigerians in the Diaspora to apply for and renew their passports online from the comfort of their homes, she said.
However, Nandap reiterated that the innovative solution is designed to simplify the passport application process for Diaspora, save time, and reduce costs associated with travelling to apply fora passport.
She, thereby said that the initiative is not for fresh applicants or minors but for those renewing their passports, stating that the Nigerians living abroad can start the process of renewing their passports a year to its expiration.
“Nandap commended NIDCOM for being a dependable partner and ally in advocacy in giving awareness to its programmes and policies, especially as it affects Nigerians living abroad.
“The Comptroller General said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given them the marching order to make life easier for Nigerians in the diaspora, saying the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has in the meantime approved a passport processing facility for New York, to address the backlog and bring experience there.
“She added that passport front offices will soon be opened in other parts of the US and other countries,” the statement added.
