The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Ogun State has expedited the Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) application procedure in response to a notable surge in demand for foreign travel credentials.
This initiative is particularly aimed at assisting Nigerians living abroad who possess expired passports and require a single-journey document to return home.
Sunday Olubiyi, the passport control officer (PCO) of the NIS in Ogun, announced the improvements during an interview with journalists in Abeokuta. "The process of obtaining an emergency travel certificate has been streamlined for efficiency," Mr. Olubiyi stated, emphasizing the service's commitment to facilitating smoother travel for Nigerians abroad.
Despite a recent hike in the cost of international travel passports, the NIS has observed continued patronage. The federal government, effective September 1, revised the pricing structure for passport booklets. A 32-page passport booklet with a five-year validity now costs N50,000, up from N35,000, while a 64-page booklet with a ten-year validity is priced at N100,000, previously N70,000.
Mr. Olubiyi noted that the surge in applicants is largely due to Nigerians residing overseas returning home for the holiday season. "The surge of applicants is traceable to Nigerians outside the country visiting home for vacation," he explained.
During a recent visit by Kemi Nandap, the comptroller-general of immigration service, discussions were held regarding the new pricing. Despite the increased costs, the NIS remains focused on ensuring that travel documentation is accessible to all Nigerians, reflecting a balance between financial considerations and the need for efficient service delivery.
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