New International Passport To Cost N70,000

New International Passport To Cost N70,000

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has stated that registration
and the issuance of new international passport would cost Nigerians
N70,000.

Nigeria’s
President, Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Yemi Osinbajo had been on the
15th of January presented with a new 10-year diplomatic passport by the
Nigeria Immigration service.

The passports were presented by the
Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, and the Comptroller General
of Nigeria Immigration Service, Mohammed Babandede.

According to The Guardian, NIS
spokesman Sunday James, who made the disclosure, said the agency will
commence issuance of the new international passport from Monday, March 4
2019 in Abuja.

Issuance of the passport will commence in Ikoyi in
Lagos on March 25, Kano on April 1, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos on April 8 and
London, United Kingdom April 15.

He said the phase two multiple
rollout in New York, Washington, and Atlanta, USA would follow
immediately after London on April 22; while other locations, local and
abroad, would follow in sequence from April 29.

However, NIS
spokesman said existing passport booklet will run concurrently with the
new enhanced passport booklet until the former expires.

According
to James, the advantages of the new passport includes its 10-year
validity, self-tracking of application and express centres for urgent
application.

Other advantages he said included weather
friendliness, compliance with latest ICAO standard, polycarbonate
technology that reduces the incidence of damage as well saves Nigerians
in the Diaspora time of frequent visits to Nigerian Embassies.

He, however, urged

“Nigerians
to take advantage of the reforms, avoid patronising third party or
touts and utilise the online platforms provided by the service for their
passport application.”