FG targets zero delays with enhanced e-passport facilities for diaspora Nigerians

In its ongoing commitment to streamline passport processing and acquisition for Nigerians in the diaspora, the Federal Government on Monday, unveiled additional enhanced e-Passport facilities at select Nigerian embassies in Europe.

The facilities were inaugurated at the Nigerian Embassy in Rome by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, emphasising the dedication of President Bola Tinubu’s government to citizens’ diplomacy and the enhancement of services to the diaspora community.

The Minister, represented by Wura-Ola Adepoju, the acting Comptroller General of Immigration, announced the phased rollout of the enhanced e-Passport in Europe.

Phase one, which includes Spain, Greece, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, was officially Introduced in Rome on Monday, while phase two is scheduled to be implemented by the end of the week.

He said the e-Passport complies with all standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), positioning Nigeria as the first country in Africa and the fifth worldwide to embrace this technological achievement.

This accomplishment has garnered high regard from the international community.

Adepoju highlighted that the enhanced e-Passport will significantly reduce processing delays in Europe, provided applicants adhere strictly to application guidelines, including utilizing the online application and payment platform at passport.immigration.gov.ng and ensuring the synchronization of their passport application data with their National Identification Number (NIN).

She added that the advanced travel document offers three categories: 32-page Five-year validity category, 64-page Five-year validity category, 64-page Ten-year validity category (for adults only).

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.