…Passports to be centrally issued from Abuja from April 2025

Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

Nigerians will soon be able to process and receive their passports from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need to physically visit passport processing centers, according to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

However, this new initiative will initially apply only to Nigerians aged 18 and above and those seeking the renewal of expired passports. Fresh applicants will still be required to appear in person to register their biometrics at passport centers.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo announced this development at a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, where the contactless passport processing App was unveiled. The initiative is part of an effort to streamline passport issuance and reduce the burdens often faced by Nigerians, both at home and abroad. The minister emphasized that the new process is designed to eliminate exploitation by middlemen, who often create unnecessary obstacles to extort applicants.

The contactless passport processing project is a collaboration between two Nigerian firms, Irish Smart Technology and New World, which have been test-running the system over the last nine months. The new technology aims to make passport issuance more seamless, with the App covering every requirement for obtaining a Nigerian passport.

Tunji-Ojo also revealed that beginning in April next year, passport production will be centralized in Nigeria. As part of this, immigration attachés in foreign missions will no longer be authorized to approve visa issuance, a step aimed at streamlining the process and improving efficiency.

In addition, the minister announced that the President has approved the retention of 50% of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) internally generated revenue, enabling the service to enhance its operations and reduce delays in passport processing.

To further strengthen national security, the government is also building 32 forward operational bases across the country to support the NIS in its duties.

The Comptroller-General of the NIS, Mrs. Kemi Nandap, noted that the contactless passport issuance system will not only reduce the inconvenience associated with physical processing but also enhance the security of the Nigerian passport in line with international standards.