The federal authorities has kicked-off the issuance of the improved e-passport from the FESTAC City Passport Workplace in Lagos.
The Comptroller Common of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mr. Muhammed Babandede, yesterday rolled out the brand new paperwork at a quick ceremony to authorise the FESTAC Passport Workplace, Lagos to course of the improved digital passport for candidates.
Earlier, NIS had launched the improved e-passport in Abuja adopted by Ikoyi, Port Harcourt, Alausa and Kano passport workplaces earlier than yesterday’s launch.
Babandede mentioned the brand new enhanced e-passport has extra 26 security measures in comparison with the one being phased out and along with these security measures, it’s water-proof as a result of it’s hydrocarbonated.
Based on him, the brand new passport is rated one of the best on the planet as a result of it meets the Worldwide Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) new requirements and Nigeria is likely one of the first few international locations that integrated the newly-recommended enhancements to fortify the passports by way of safety.
Babandede added that in view of the strategic location of Lagos because the financial capital of the nation, and having the excellence of the three border factors of land, sea and air, it is very important additionally empower the FESTAC Passport Workplace so as to have eight areas the place the brand new passport is rolled out nationwide.
Babandede, represented by the Assistant Comptroller Common, Zone A, Mrs. Doris Braimah, mentioned the brand new e-passport would assist Nigeria to satisfy world operational requirements in passports administration.
He defined that the improved e-passport is a part of the brand new reforms accredited by the federal authorities and it’s a product of intensive evaluation of the prevailing e-passport booklet, which has been in circulation for over 10 years and has solely 5 yr validity.
He mentioned the brand new passport is out there in three classes of 32-page with 5 years’ validity; 64-page with 5 years’ validity, each of which can be found for adults and minors, and a 64-page model with 10 years’ validity for adults who have been above 18 years of age.
Babandede said that the necessities for the brand new passport are identical because the outdated one, including {that a} Nationwide Identification Quantity (NIN) is required and necessary for the issuance of the brand new passport.
Spokesman of NIS, Sunday James, mentioned the FESTAC Passport Centre is below Deputy Comptroller Adeola Adesokan a seasoned Immigration attachee that served meritoriously whereas on overseas mission earlier than returning to Nigeria after she accomplished her responsibility tour.
He described her as a flexible and articulate officer that reworked the FESTAC Passport workplace throughout the first two months of her resumption, curbing corruption related to further costs and touting by third get together affect, which have dented the service picture.
With the improved passport, candidates are anticipated to use on-line, pay on-line and method the passport workplace with proof of fee and a Nationwide Id Quantity issued by the Nigerian Id Administration Company (NIMC).