Enhancing Passport Acquisition: Nigeria Unveils Five Steps of Pioneering Automated System

The Ministry of Interior in Nigeria has unveiled a groundbreaking leap in passport acquisition, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s administrative services.

During a comprehensive review of Nigeria Immigration Service facilities in Abuja, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the launch of the country’s inaugural online portal for automated passport applications.

Set to go live on January 8, 2024, the automated passport application system is poised to revolutionize the process for both Nigerian citizens and international individuals seeking passports.

Minister Tunji-Ojo noted the significance of this innovation, emphasizing its pivotal role in substantially reducing human interaction during passport application procedures. This is aimed at bringing efficiency and convenience to individuals navigating the complexities of acquiring international passports.

Outlined below are the streamlined steps individuals can follow to seamlessly apply for a passport through this innovative online portal:

Step 1: Access and NIN Auto-fill
Applicants will visit passport.immigration.gov.ng and input their National Identification Number (NIN) to auto-populate their data from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). Basic details like date of birth and captcha will be needed for identity confirmation.

Step 2: Complete Passport Data Fields
Once the NIN-generated data is populated, applicants proceed to select their passport type, preferred processing state, booklet type, and processing office. The chosen options will determine applicable passport fees: N35,000 for a 5-year, 32-page passport and N64,000 for a 10-year, 64-page passport. Diaspora applicants will pay $142 for a 5-year (32 pages) and $242 for a 10-year (64 pages) validity.

Step 3: Upload Photographs and Documents
Applicants must upload a passport photograph adhering to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, ensuring it is 2 inches by 2 inches, with proper brightness, contrast, and natural skin tones. Additionally, they will fill in their details on the portal.

Step 4: Biometric Capturing at Immigration Office
After fulfilling online requirements, applicants will visit their chosen office for biometric capturing.

Step 5: Track Application Progress and Pickup
Using the provided application and reference numbers, applicants can monitor their application’s progress. Once ready for pickup, they can collect their passports from the nearest immigration office.

Minister Tunji-Ojo assured applicants that passport collection would be available within 2 weeks after application submission, marking a significant improvement in processing times.

This milestone development aligns with the minister’s steadfast commitment to resolving persistent challenges in passport processing. Notably, Tunji-Ojo successfully cleared a backlog of 204,332 passports last year, demonstrating his dedication to streamlining passport issuance processes for Nigerians.

The unveiling of this automated system heralds a new era of efficiency and convenience in Nigeria’s administrative services, promising a smoother and more accessible passport application experience for all.