Nigeria to Launch Contactless Passport Renewal System

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that the federal government will launch the newly introduced contactless international passport renewal system in four Nigerian states—Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, and Kano—by January next year.

The contactless renewal system will enable Nigerians to renew their international passports from the comfort of their homes without visiting an NIS office.

Speaking during an interview on Wednesday, Tunji-Ojo explained that the Ministry’s initial plan to roll out the system in Nigeria by December was delayed. He also disclosed that the service would be launched internationally in January in the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, and France, following its successful debut in Canada.

Why a Phased Rollout?

The Minister explained the decision to adopt a phased rollout approach:
“I come from a tech management consulting background, and in my experience, you don’t launch a project of this magnitude all at once. There’s a risk of system shock, which can erode the intended benefits.

“So, we decided to start small, with Canada. As I speak, we are already producing passports based on the contactless system there. By January, we’re expanding to the UK, United States, Italy, and France, as well as Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, and Kano in Nigeria,” he said.

Addressing Technical Issues

Tunji-Ojo admitted the system initially experienced technical hitches in Canada but reassured that these challenges had been resolved through patching and system corrections.

“This cautious approach ensures that we avoid frustrations that could lead to the project’s failure. Once perfected, this system will become a lasting legacy for the current administration and a source of pride for Nigerians,” he added.

Key Facts

• The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced the contactless passport renewal system in October, initially planning to roll it out on November 1 in Canada and in Nigeria by December.
• While the system has been successfully implemented in Canada, it is yet to be fully operational in Nigeria or other parts of the world.
• The NIS mobile app is already available on the Google Play Store, but Nigerians within the country have been unable to complete their registration as the system has not yet been enabled locally.
• The initiative aims to simplify and modernise the passport renewal process, allowing Nigerians to apply online and reducing the need for physical visits to NIS offices.