The Nigeria Immigration Service has begun issuance of the new enhanced passport booklet today, Monday 29th April, 2019 at the Service Headquarters, Abuja.
Its spokesman, DCI Sunday James, said the new enhanced polycarbonate passport booklet, launched by President Muhammadu Buharion the 15th January, 2019 is part of a comprehensive passport reform approved by the Government to improve the quality and security of the travel document with a 10-year validity passport that reduces incidence of damage, counterfeit, and forgery. Therefore, the commencement at the Service Headquarters, Abuja marks the roll out plan for the new document.
He said further: “The Comptroller General of Immigration Service Muhammad Babandede MFR wishes to use this medium to inform Nigerians that the Service will continue to issue the old booklet in all the Passport Offices at the State Commands while the Service Headquarters Abuja will only issue the new passport booklet. However, the Passport Office Gwagwalada continues to issue the old passport for now pending the roll out at other centres as follows:
• Ikoyi, Lagos—————————————————-Monday 3rd June,2019
• Alausa, Lagos————————————————-Monday 24th June, 2019
• Kano————————————————————-Monday 8th July,2019
• London———————————————————Monday 29th July,2019
It is equally important to note that:
(a). National Identity Number (NIN) is compulsory fill for all applicant of the new document.
(b) Nigeria Immigration Service has provided space for National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) at the Service Headquarters, Abuja to register applicant and issue them the NIN.
(c) The public are advised not to rush for the new booklet as the new enhanced passport will run concurrently with the old one.
(d) Applicants holding a passport with more than 6 months validity are not eligible for the new booklet except in the case of damage, change of data and those whose passport booklets are exhausted.
(e) Applicants are equally advised to pay online or directly to the banks situated within the passport offices.
“The general public is hereby advised to avoid patronizing touts as all the service windows are equipped to meet their needs.”