FG Unveils Additional e-Passport Facilities in Europe

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The federal government has unveiled additional enhanced e-Passport facilities at selected Nigerian Embassies in Europe.

The facilities were inaugurated on Monday at the Nigerian Embassy in Rome by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo who emphasized the dedication of President Bola Tinubu’s government to citizens’ diplomacy and the enhancement of services to the diaspora community.

According to a statement by the spokesman of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Aridegbe Adedotun, the minister, represented by the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Caroline Adepoju, announced the phased rollout of the enhanced e-Passport in Europe.

The phase one, which includes Spain, Greece, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, was officially introduced in Rome, while phase two is scheduled to be implemented by the end of the week.

He said the e-Passport complies with all standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), was positioning Nigeria as the first country in Africa and the fifth worldwide to embrace the technological achievement, noting that the accomplishment had garnered high regard from the international community.

Adepoju highlighted that the enhanced e-Passport will significantly reduce processing delays in Europe, provided applicants adhere strictly to application guidelines, including utilising the online application and payment platform  and ensuring the synchronisation of their passport application data with their National Identification Number (NIN).

She added that the advanced travel document offers three categories, namely :32-page five-year validity category, 64-page five-year validity category and 64-page 10-year validity category, which is for adults only.