Nigeria Launches Online Passport Application System for Hassle-Free Processing
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, unveiled an automated passport application process for Nigerians on Monday, ushering in a new era where applicants can apply for passports online without engaging with personnel from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
In his remarks at the launch of the online passport application portal, Tunji-Ojo credited President Bola Tinubu’s visionary leadership and support for the project’s success. He expressed optimism that the portal would significantly reduce direct interactions between applicants and immigration officers, revolutionizing the passport issuance process.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the online portal would streamline the passport application process, making it faster and more efficient for Nigerians worldwide to obtain passports. He highlighted the relief it would bring to applicants, ending the long waiting periods and eliminating the daily loss of man-hours previously associated with the process.
During the training of Immigration personnel for the new system, the Minister underscored that the online platform was designed to serve both Nigerian and international applicants. He explained that the process would involve uploading passport photos and supporting documents online, reducing human interactions and curbing corrupt practices.
In terms of fees, Tunji-Ojo outlined that Nigerian applicants seeking 32-page passports with a five-year validity period would pay N25,000, while those opting for 64-page passports with a 10-year validity period would pay N70,000. For foreign applicants, the fees would be $130 for a five-year, 32-page passport and $230 for a 10-year, 64-page passport.
Daily Trust
