The Comptroller General, Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, Mrs Kemi Nanna Nandap, has said 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 made the announcement on Tuesday when she paid a courtesy call on the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, 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.
Nandap reiterated that the innovative solution was designed to simplify the passport application process for Diaspora, save time, and reduce costs associated with travelling to apply for passport.
She, however, said that the initiative was not for fresh applicants or minors but for those renewing their passports.
She said Nigerians living abroad could 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 affected Nigerians living abroad.
The Comptroller General said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had given them the marching order to make life easier for Nigerians in the diaspora, saying the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had in the meantime approved a passport processing facility for New York, to address the backlog and bring experience there.
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She added that passport front offices would 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.
“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 added.
She commended the Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and the Comptroller General for the innovations introduced, noting that the contactless application had since taken off in Canada with commendations from Nigerians in Canada.
