The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to revolutionize the passport application process with the introduction of a contactless system, slated for launch in January 2025.
This innovative service will initially be available in four states: Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, and Kano, as announced by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Speaking on an Arise TV program, Minister Tunji-Ojo emphasized the strategic importance of a phased rollout. "In my experience, you don’t launch a project of that magnitude all over at the same time.
There will be what we call the system shock, and once there’s a system shock, it erodes the benefit that you aim to derive," he explained.
The phased approach aims to test and perfect the solution before a full-scale launch across the country.
The contactless passport application system is designed to streamline the process, allowing applicants to submit their applications digitally, thereby eliminating the need for physical interactions.
This move is expected to significantly reduce the time and effort required for passport renewals, enabling Nigerians to apply from the comfort of their homes.
The initiative follows a successful pilot in Canada, where the system was launched on November 1, 2024. Despite initial technical hitches, continuous improvements have resolved these issues, paving the way for its introduction in Nigeria and other countries, including the UK, United States, Italy, and France.
Minister Tunji-Ojo highlighted the significance of this development, stating, "Once perfected, the system would become a legacy for this particular administration and something Nigerians can be proud of forever."
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has been instrumental in developing the contactless renewal system, which was first announced in October 2024.
The NIS Contactless Biometrics Mobile App, essential for the remote capture of face and fingerprint biometrics, is already available for download on Google Play Store and Appstore, although it has not yet been enabled for users in Nigeria.
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