The Federal Government has launched enhanced e-passport facilities at selected Nigerian embassies in Italy, Spain, Greece, Austria, and Switzerland to streamline passport processing for Nigerians living in the diaspora.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, inaugurated the facilities at the Nigerian Embassy in Rome. This initiative is part of the government’s commitment to citizens’ diplomacy and improving services for the diaspora community.
The Minister highlighted the phased rollout of the enhanced e-passport in Europe, with phase one including the aforementioned countries. Phase two is scheduled to be implemented soon.
The enhanced e-passport meets international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization ,ICAO, positioning Nigeria as the fifth country in the world and the first in Africa to achieve this technological milestone.
If applicants follow the application guidelines, which include using the online application and payment platform and synchronizing their passport application data with their National Identification Number, or NIN, the enhanced e-passport is anticipated to reduce processing delays in Europe.
The 32-page five-year validity, 64-page five-year validity, and 64-page 10-year validity (for adults only) are the three categories available for the e-passport. Complaining applicants are urged to file complaints through the appropriate channels.
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