Starting from April 2025, eligible Nigerians will no longer have to endure long queues or travel to passport processing centers to renew their passports. In a groundbreaking move, the Nigerian government has announced that citizens aged 18 and above, as well as those renewing expired passports, will be able to complete the entire passport issuance process from the comfort of their homes. However, first-time applicants will still be required to visit a passport office for biometric registration.
This innovation was unveiled by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja. The new system aims to streamline the process, significantly reducing human interaction and curbing the exploitation of citizens by middlemen who often create unnecessary obstacles.
Digital Transformation of Passport Services
The shift to contactless passport issuance is being driven by two Nigerian firms, Irish Smart Technology and New World, which have been piloting the system over the past nine months. Their goal is to modernize the passport application process and align it with international standards, offering Nigerians both at home and abroad a more convenient and secure way to access this critical document.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the new technology would address all the requirements necessary for obtaining a passport, ensuring a smoother experience for applicants. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to eliminate the delays and challenges many Nigerians face when trying to renew their passports.
Centralized Passport Issuance
In addition to the home-based application system, starting from April 2025, all passports will be produced exclusively in Nigeria. This means that immigration attachés at foreign missions will no longer be authorized to approve passport issuance, centralizing the entire process within the country. The change is expected to improve oversight and efficiency in the production of Nigerian passports.
Furthermore, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) will retain 50% of its internally generated revenue, following approval from the President. This increase in funding is intended to enhance the agency’s operations, ensuring quicker passport processing times and improved service delivery for Nigerians both locally and abroad.
Enhancing National Security
Alongside the passport reforms, Dr. Tunji-Ojo revealed that the government is also investing in national security by constructing 32 forward operational bases across the country. These facilities will bolster the operations of the NIS and contribute to better border security management.
Mrs. Kemi Nandep, Comptroller-General of the NIS, noted that the contactless passport system would not only simplify the application process but also enhance the security of Nigerian passports, making them more difficult to forge and ensuring compliance with international standards.
This initiative is a significant step forward in addressing the long-standing issues surrounding passport renewal and issuance in Nigeria, marking the dawn of a new era in public service delivery.
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