Joy Agwunobi
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) is set to introduce a contactless passport application system in Europe on February 7, with the United Kingdom serving as the coordinating hub.
This initiative aims to simplify and expedite the passport renewal process for Nigerians living abroad through digital technology.
According to a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Kemi Nanna Nandap, the Comptroller General of Immigration, disclosed the development during a courtesy visit to Abike Dabiri-Erewa,NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Nandap stated that the initiative, scheduled for launch on February 7, 2025, will allow Nigerians in the diaspora to apply for and renew their passports online without the need for physical visits.
She explained that the solution is designed to ease the burden of passport renewals, reducing both processing time and costs associated with travel. However, she clarified that the initiative is strictly for renewals and does not cover first-time applicants or minors. Nigerians abroad will be able to begin the renewal process up to a year before their passport’s expiration date.
She also commended NiDCOM for its ongoing advocacy and awareness efforts on policies affecting Nigerians overseas. According to her, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the NIS to improve its services for Nigerians in the diaspora.
Furthermore, Nandap revealed that Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of Interior, has approved the establishment of a passport processing centre in New York to address application backlogs and enhance the renewal experience for Nigerians in the United States.
“In the meantime, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, has approved a passport processing facility for New York to address the backlog and improve the passport renewal experience there,” she said.
She further added that plans are underway to set up additional passport front offices in other parts of the U.S. and other countries to improve accessibility.
In response, Abike Dabiri-Erewa described the contactless passport application system as a crucial step towards enhancing efficiency and security in travel document processing for Nigerians abroad. She reaffirmed NiDCOM’s commitment to supporting and collaborating with the NIS to ensure the initiative’s success.
“The launch of the contactless passport application solution in Europe is a significant step towards efficient, secure, and convenient travel document management for Nigerians in the diaspora. NiDCOM will continue to support, monitor, and collaborate with the NIS to ensure the success of this initiative,” she stated.
She also praised Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and the Comptroller General for their innovative efforts. Dabiri-Erewa recalled that the NIS first introduced the contactless passport application system in Canada on November 1, 2024, noting that it had been well received by Nigerians in the country.
