The Nigerian Immigration Service, part of the Ministry of Interior, has introduced a new website for citizens to conveniently book appointments, make payments, and schedule passport data collection from their homes.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, emphasised that this initiative aims to streamline the passport collection process, enhance verification, and shift to a fully automated system.
The portal, live from January 8th, 2024, will initially cater to Nigerians within the country, with global access promised later.
Dr Tunji-Ojo highlighted that the new system reduces passport request time to about six minutes without the need for physical visits to immigration offices.
The online portal will handle applications for new passports, renewals, and related matters. A future phase, launching in March, will feature contactless data verification, allowing users, including those in the diaspora, to submit biometrics online for verification against their NIN data.
Applicants in Nigeria will pay N25,000 for a 32-page passport (5-year validity) and N70,000 for a 64-page passport (10-year validity). Those abroad will pay $130 for a 5-year, 32-page passport and $230 for a 10-year, 64-page passport.
The portal facilitates various applications such as fresh passport requests, renewals, data corrections, resuming applications, checking payment status, and booking appointments.
Stakeholders, including Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Stephen Matete, Dr Joe Abah, Tijjani Musa, and David Afolayan, witnessed a demonstration of the portal in Abuja.
The Nigerian Immigration Service will now focus on reviewing, approving applications, and printing passports, having completed a retraining exercise for officers involved.
Motivational plans for high-performing officers and office running costs for 48 interior offices are part of the measures to ensure a smooth transition.
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