Abuja launches enhanced passport for diaspora Nigerians in Canada

Abuja launches enhanced passport to ease travel paperwork

By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor

Abuja has launched in Ottawa, Canada the Central Passport Production Centre that will enable diaspora Nigerians in Ontario and other regions of the North American country to obtain enhanced passport of 64 pages with a 10-year validity.

Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola inaugurated the centre and disclosed Nigeria is among the first five countries in the world to have enhanced passport and the first in Africa.

“The enhanced version we are presenting is the latest technology in identity documentation.

“It comes with additional security and in various categories, including the 64-page-10-year validity passport which is quite convenient for frequent travellers,” he said.

“It is a product of the latest technology in passport administration and issuance. Only very few countries in the world can boast of it as of today. Indeed, Nigeria is among the first five countries in the world and the first in Africa to have this enhanced e-passport.

“The document is of higher grade with additional 25 security features than the one currently in use. It is polycarbonate in design and therefore water-resistant. It cannot be compromised by counterfeiters and identity thieves.”

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Nigeria launches 10-year validity passport for diasporans

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Facilitation of passport issuance

“Nigerians can now apply, pay and book appointment online directly from the Nigeria Immigration Service [NIS] portal,” The Nation reports Interior Minister spokesman Sola Fasure quoted Aregbesola as saying in a statement.

“It is important that all applicants go through the Nigeria Immigration Service portal and follow the protocol laid down, pay the right fee and go for biometric data capture on the stipulated date.

“The waiting period after data capture for fresh applications is six weeks and three weeks for renewal.

“This timeline is to enable NIS verify and validate the claims of applicants and confer integrity on the passport issued. It is a reasonable provision in passport administration by global standards.

“It is important also that your details with NIN sync with the data on your application. Any discrepancy will stall your application until it is corrected.

“The order of appearance of the applicant’s name especially has been an albatross for many.

“We have introduced a tracking mechanism in the application process, to enable applicants to monitor the progress of their application.

“We shall continue to introduce necessary and available innovations to passport administration in order to best serve applicants in our quest for establishing citizenship integrity.”

Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada Adeyinka Asekun commended Aregbesola and acting NIS Comptroller General Isah Jere for their commitment to the launch of the passport in Canada.

Jere said until all applications on the old platforms are cleared, the Passport Issuing Desk in Canada will continue to issue both documents concurrently.