The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) says it will launch a contactless passport renewal system for Nigerians living in Europe, starting with the United Kingdom on Friday, February 7, 2025.
The NIS chief says that the new contactless passport renewal system “will enable Nigerians in the Diaspora to apply for and renew their passports online from the comfort of their homes.”
Mrs. Kemi Nanna Nandap, Comptroller General of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
NIS: How contactless passport renewal system works
The new system will allow Nigerians abroad to renew their passports online without visiting an embassy or consulate, Mrs. Kemi Nanna Nandap, Comptroller General of NIS, says during a courtesy visit at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) headquarters in Abuja.
The NIS chief says that the new contactless passport renewal system “will enable Nigerians in the Diaspora to apply for and renew their passports online from the comfort of their homes.”
The tech-driven initiative, she explains, is intended “to simplify the passport application process for Diaspora, save time, and reduce costs associated with travelling to apply for passport.”
According to her, the service is designed exclusively for renewals, and is not available for fresh applicants or minors. Nigerians living abroad can “start the process of renewing their passports a year to its expiration.”
The contactless system has already been introduced in Canada, where it has received positive feedback from Nigerians, according to Nandap who says that Nigerians abroad can start renewing their passports up to a year before they expire.
Contactless passport renewal: Why this matters
Nigerians living abroad often face challenges with passport renewals, including long wait times and the need to travel to embassies or consulates. The new system aims to address these issues by making the process easier and more convenient.
According to the NIS chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a “marching order to make life easier for Nigerians in the diaspora.”
She also mentioned that Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, has approved a new passport processing facility in New York to help clear backlogs and improve services in the United States.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, says the initiative aligns with the commission’s goal of supporting Nigerians abroad.
“The launch of the contactless passport application solution in Europe is a significant step towards efficient, secure, and convenient travel document management for Nigerians in the diaspora,” Dabiri-Erewa says adding that NiDCOM will work with the NIS to ensure the success of the system.
The NIS says it plans to open passport front offices in other parts of the United States and more countries in the future.
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