E-Passport Policy: Stakeholders recommit to ease access for renewal

Stakeholders in Nigeria have pledged to ensure the success of the new E-passport policy which makes it seamless for Nigerians to renew their passports.

This was made known at the diaspora Lecture Series on the Topic, “New Passport Policy/Process for Nigerans in Diaspora” organized by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, in Abuja, Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo speaking virtually said with the number of Nigerians in need of passports it became imperative for a new automated policy on passport renewal which will reduce interface, and make the process seamless.

He said the automated process will reduce unnecessary delays, extortion, and identity fraud.

“It is our aim that this initiative will decongest existing sectors by establishing dedicated passport processing and collation centres in the Diaspora as well as fast tract service operations,” he said.

Tunji-Ojo noted that passport system will be harmonized with the identity data system in Nigeria to facilitate the smooth process of passport renewal for Nigerians in the Diaspora and at home.

“What this means is that from this new system of passport acquisition that we have been able to do, there is a robust handshake between National Identity Management Commission,  NIMC and offcourse the Nugeria Immigration Service, NIS.

“So what it means is basically, Nigerians don’t need to enter their details again when applying. All you need is you NIN number. Once you put your NIN there is a handshake that pulls your data from NIMC’S database and auto-fills your form for you. This is to ensure that the identity details we have at the level of NIMC is the same identity we will have at the level of NIS “. He said.

The Minister said the new passport policy is based an unwavering belief that Nigerians deserve the best.

Also, the Chairman Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Mrs. Abike Dabire-Erewa said it became important to organize the series to throw more light on the passport policy in other to reduce the problems faced by Nigerians in the Diaspora.

“We want to make it easier for you as the bridge between the government and the Diaspora to bring this matter to you wherever you are. And then to also see how the Minister’s aim and objective of making everything seamless will be achieved”. She said

The Comptroller General of Immigration,  Caroline Wuroala said the “japa” syndrome has impacted the nation with an unprecedented increase in passport application, stretching the manpower and facilities of the NIS which called for a reform.

According to her, the E-process will be coming live to the diaspora on March 8, 2024 .

“For the avoidance of doubt and in other to reassure our citizens in the Diaspora that the passport process has been tried, tested and proved in Nigeria,  please note that the new process went live in Nigeria on January 8, 2024. And from inception till date the number of applicants online is over a hundred thousand.  Eighty percent of this were approved without issues, ten percent is awaiting approval because the supporting documents are undergoing verification. Six percent have not completed their application process because they have not fully booked their appointment. While three percent were queries for various reasons such as incomplete submission documents, submission of poor quality documents or photographs”.

Several Diaspora leaders from across the continents gave their views on how the automated process could be made seamless particularly for those in the diaspora.