Contactless passport processing to streamline application process

In a significant move to simplify the passport application process, Nigerians will soon be able to process and receive their passports from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need for physical visits to passport processing centres.

The new contactless passport system will be available for citizens aged 18 and above, specifically for those renewing expired passports.

However, first-time applicants will still need to visit a centre to complete biometric registration.

Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the initiative during a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, where the newly developed contactless passport processing app was introduced.

The project, a collaboration between Nigerian firms Irish Smart Technology and New World, has been in test mode for the past nine months, intending to reduce human interaction and curb exploitation by intermediaries.

“The app is designed to ease the burden faced by Nigerians both at home and abroad when applying for passports, making the process more efficient and less prone to manipulation,” said Tunji-Ojo.

He emphasized that the digital platform would ensure faster passport issuance, significantly cutting down processing times.

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From April next year, passport production will be centralized within Nigeria. Immigration attachés in foreign missions will no longer be authorized to approve visa applications, streamlining the entire process and further reducing delays.

Additionally, the Nigerian government has approved the retention of 50% of internally generated revenue for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), allowing the agency to better manage its operations and expedite the processing of passports and other essential services.

The minister also revealed that 32 new forward operational bases are under construction across the country to enhance the NIS’s effectiveness and bolster national security.

At the forum, the Comptroller-General of the NIS, Kemi Nandep, highlighted that the contactless passport initiative is aligned with international best practices.

She noted that this new system is aimed at reducing the inconveniences associated with physical processing and strengthening the security of the Nigerian passport.

With the launch of the contactless passport system, the Nigerian government aims to enhance the user experience for millions of citizens, reduce delays, and cut out middlemen who have long exploited inefficiencies in the process.

As the system rolls out, it marks a key milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to modernize public services and integrate advanced technology into its immigration framework.