Nigerian immigration set to launch contactless passport renewal system in UK by Feb 7

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) under the guidance of the Ministry of Interior will launch a contactless passport application solution in Europe by February 7, with the United Kingdom as its controlling unit. 

In a statement by the Comptroller General of the Immigration Service, Mrs. Kemi Nanna Nandap during a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, it was stressed that the initiative will utilize digital technology to accelerate a stress-free passport renewal process for Nigerians in the diaspora.

“This initiative set for launch on the 7th of February 2025 will enable Nigerians in the Diaspora to apply for and renew their passports online from the comfort of their homes,” she said.

The Comptroller General of Immigrations reiterated that the initiative is strictly for passport renewals and does not apply to fresh applicants or minors. She explained that the process is structured for easy passport renewal applications which will save the time and costs associated with travelling for passport applications.

Nandap, while commending the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) for its consistent advocacy and various awareness campaigns, added that Nigerians living abroad can commence the renewal process a year before their passport’s expiration date.

She further noted that the federal government through the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has given the NIS a mandate to enhance services for Nigerians in the diaspora. This saw the approval of a passport processing facility for New York to address the backlog and improve the passport renewal experience. 

In addition to the New York centre, Nandap revealed that passport front offices will soon be established in other parts of the United States and other countries to enhance further accessibility for Nigerians abroad.

The immigration commission highlighted the contactless passport application solution alignment with NiDCOM’s mission to facilitate and support diaspora engagement.

“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. NiDCOM will continue to support, monitor, and collaborate with the NIS to ensure the success of this initiative,” the immigration agency said.

NIS first rolled out its contactless passport application system in Canada last November which received positive feedback from Nigerians there, according to the immigration agency. 

Similar Read: Ministry of Interior, Immigration Service launches digital portal for passport booking, renewal, visa others.

Nigerian immigration’s drive for contactless passport renewal

After it successfully launched the initiative in Canada last year, the Ministry of Interior said it will roll out the same for Nigerians in the U.S., UK, Italy, and France, where it is set to launch that in the UK.

In its experimental phase of the project in Nigeria, the ministry noted in November that contactless renewal of international passports will be launched in four states of the federation in January 2025 which includes  Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, and Kano.

Explaining why the government is adopting a phased rollout to test the solution and ensure it becomes perfect before being opened to everybody

“I come from a tech management consulting background and in my experience, you don’t launch a project of that magnitude all over at the same time. So, we decided that before we open it up to the entire world, let’s start with Canada. And as I speak to you, we’re already producing passports based on the contactless system in Canada,” the minister said in November.

The Minister admitted that the system experienced technical hitches at the beginning in Canada. He noted that the hitches have been fixed through patching and continuous corrections on the system. 

“This is why we have adopted a cautious approach towards the project or else people will jump on it and at the end of the day, the frustration can even lead to the failure of the process,” he said.

While it was successfully rolled out in Canada and set for the UK, many Nigerians are still waiting to use it in Nigeria and other parts of the world. 

Meanwhile, the contactless system brings a beckon of comfort as individuals would be able to apply to renew their international passports from the comfort of their homes without having to visit any NIS office.

Also last January, NIS launched a new website portal that enables citizens at home and in the diaspora to book appointments to acquire a Nigerian passport, make payments, and get a date for data from the comfort of their homes.

The new portal signifies an online channel for new passport applications, renewals, and other passport-related matters going forward.