NIS opens electronic passport centre for Edo, Delta

Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has launched a new electronic enhanced passport (e-passport) centre in Benin, Edo State to cater for applicants in Delta, Edo states and environs.

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who launched the rollout at the passport office headquarters, said, in a statement, that the e-passport office, which is equipped with latest technology in passport administration and issuance, will ease passport processing for citizens within the region.

He said NIS had, so far, produced 625,000 passports in the last five months but only 625,000 had been collected by applicants while the rest were still lying in the NIS offices awaiting pick up.

The minister said: Nigeria’s enhanced passport is the real deal in passport-making and the most important is making the enhanced e-passport available to the good people of Edo and Delta states and the enhanced e-passport comes in various categories, including the 64-page-10-year validity passport which is quite convenient for frequent travellers. It is a product of the latest technology in passport administration and issuance.

Meanwhile, Acting Comptroller General of the NIS, Idris Jere, has assured Nigerians of the determination of the service to enhance its service to Nigerians.

“Nigerians can be rest assured of getting a non-judgmental service at this centre in Benin. Our officers are well trained and ready to discharge their duties professionally.

“Applicants are advised to ensure their NIN details are exactly the same with their passport application details to avoid a situation where the applications are unable to be processed due to mismatch of data.”