The Nigeria Immigration Service has announced that it is set to launch the contactless passport application solution in Europe, with the United Kingdom serving as the coordinating centre.
Comptroller General of the NIS, Kemi Nanna Nandap, who announced this on Tuesday, said this would commence on February 7.
Nandap revealed this when she paid a courtesy call on Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, at the 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 stated.
She reiterated that the innovative solution is designed to simplify the passport application process for the Diaspora, save time, and reduce costs associated with travelling to apply for a passport.
Nandap, however, said that the initiative is not for fresh applicants or minors, but for those renewing their passports.
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She said Nigerians living abroad can start the process of renewing their passports a year to its expiration.
She 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 President Bola Tinubu has given them the marching order to make life easier for Nigerians in the diaspora, adding that the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has in the meantime approved a passport processing facility for New York, United States of America to address the backlog and bring the contactless experience there.
She added that passport front offices will soon be opened in other parts of the US and other countries.
Responding to the cheering news, Dabiri-Erewa commended the laudable initiative, which aligns with the Commission’s mandate to support and facilitate diaspora engagement.
She said: “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.”
Dabiri-Erewa commended Tunji-Ojo and Nandap for the innovations introduced, noting that the contactless application has since taken off in Canada with commendations from Nigerians in the country.
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