Nigerian first ever online application portal for international passport was launched on Monday, January 8, 2024 by the Interior Minister, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo in Abuja.
However, the minister held a demonstration session of the online portal on Friday with the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Mrs Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju. Also in attendance at the demo session were other key stakeholders and development partners.
The session availed the opportunity to present and critically assess the automated passport application process; while constructive criticism were also entertained to ensure enhancement and improvement of the system.
The online passport application portal has been developed for applicants from Nigeria and those from abroad.
The passport application is in two categories for both Nigerian and diaspora applicants.
Nigerian applicants that desire passports with 5 years validity, 32 pages are to pay #25, 000, while those that prefers passports with 10 years validity, 64 pages are to pay #70, 000.
Meanwhile, overseas applicants who desire passports with 5 years validity, 32 pages are to pay $130, while applicants with preference for passports with 10 years validity, 64 pages are to pay $230.
Applicantions are to be made on https//passport. immigration. gov. ng.
Notable participants at the demo session of the online passport application include the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon.Abike Dabiri-Erewa; representative of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Stephen Matete; Country Manager at Development Alternatives Incorporated, Dr. Joe Abah; Founder of Kwandala Foundation, Tijjani Mohammad Musa and the Co-founder of Technext, David Afolayan.
Others are Director of Programmes at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, Akintunde Babatunde; journalist and Community Development Practitioner, Lanre Lasisi; Founder of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, representative of Good Governance Advocate, Adeyemi Adewoye; representative of Connected Development (CODE), Mukhtar Mudibbo amongst others.