* Pix source: THISDAYLIVE
…Says Nigeria First Country In Africa To Migrate To E- Passport
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Isah Jere Idris, has disclosed that the organisation issued a total of1.8 million passport booklets in 2022.
The CG, who spoke at the commissioning of Daura Passport Front Office yesterday, Thursday,said that the figure doubled what was issued in the previous year.
Efforts, he said are ongoing to ensure more front offices are opened nationwide to reduce traffic often witnessed .
Speaking further the CGI said, “Just yesterday, we commissioned the passport office in Ilesha. Daura has joined Alimosho in Lagos, Zaria in Kaduna, as the front offices to be situated outside state capitals.
“With the roll out of this enhanced travel document today, it is certain that delays in processing passports will be taken care of, provided applicants abide strictly with the application guidelines including ensuring that they use the online application and payment platform./” he said.
“It is also essential to ensure that prospective passport applicants synchronise the data in their passport application with the information in their National Identification Number (NIN)” he added.
Launching an enhanced E-Passport facility at Ilesa, Osun State, the CGI said the newly introduced enhanced E-Passport in the country, with its more sophisticated features, is one of the most secured passports in the world.
According to him, “It is of polycarbonate data page and has additional 25 security features. The polycarbonate data page is also water-resistant. It is the latest passport technology and very durable. It is difficult to forge as the improved security features will make any attempt not only impossible but easily noticeable. Nigeria is the first country in Africa to migrate to this type of Passport.”
He said that with the latest development, instances of delays in processing passports in Nigeria would be reduced to its barest minimum.
Recall that the Federal Government through the Minister of Interiors, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola had in January said that NIS is targeting 2 million passports by May 29,2023.
Aregbesola said it was part of measures to tackle the challenge of shortages in passport issuance.
The NIS in the recent past has witnessed landmark reforms in its visa policy, Automated Passport issuance process which has eliminated touts and racketeers in Passport administration, the introduction of E-border Management, MIDAS and the commencement of E-Passport across Passport Control Offices and Diplomatic Missions.
The Federal Government’s commitment to improving passport and immigration services has led to the implementation of several reforms including the rollout of an enhanced E-Passport with a Polycarbonate Data Page and 25 security features, an improved online passport application process and improved secured payment solutions that eliminate touting.
