The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has issued 1.8 million passport booklets in 2022, which is double the number issued in the preceding year, according to the Comptroller-General of the NIS, Isah Jere Idris. Jere stated this during the commissioning of the Daura passport front office, adding that efforts are ongoing to ensure more front offices are opened nationwide to reduce traffic. He noted that delays in processing passports would be taken care of with the roll-out of the enhanced travel document and advised applicants to use the online application and payment platform while synchronizing their passport application data with their National Identification Number (NIN).
Jere unveiled the enhanced e-passport facility in Ilesa, Osun State, stating that the newly introduced passport features are among the most secure in the world. The e-passport features a polycarbonate data page and an additional 25 security features. It is water-resistant, durable, and difficult to forge. Jere assured Nigerians that the enhanced security features would make any attempt to forge the passport impossible and easily noticeable. He also disclosed that Nigeria is the first African country to migrate to this type of passport.
With the adoption of the enhanced digital clearance system, Jere reiterated that instances of delays in processing passports in Nigeria would be reduced to its barest minimum. He advised passport applicants to abide strictly with the application guidelines to enable them to obtain their passports promptly.