FG establishes an e-passport production center in Canada

The central Passport Production Center in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, has been put into operation by the federal government, along with the new improved passport.

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, minister of interior, said Nigerians residing in Canada will now have access to the highly sought-after 64-page passport with a 10-year validity when speaking at the passport’s launch.

He claims that Nigeria is the first country in Africa and one of the first five nations in the world to obtain this upgraded passport.

“The enhanced version we are presenting is the latest technology in identity documentation. It comes with additional security and 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. Only very few countries in the world can boast of it as of today. Indeed, Nigeria is among the first five countries in the world and the first in Africa to have this enhanced e-passport. The document is of higher grade with additional 25 security features than the one currently in use. It is polycarbonate in design and therefore water-resistant. It cannot be compromised by counterfeiters and identity thieves,” the Minister as stated by Sola Fasure, his Special Advisor on Media.

Aregbesola praised the Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada for his dedication to securing Canada’s own passport production facility, noting that with the new enhanced passport, Nigerians will now be able to apply, pay, and schedule appointments online straight from the Nigeria Immigration Service Portal.

“It is important that all applicants go through the Nigeria Immigration Service portal and follow the protocol laid down, pay the right fee and go for biometric data capture on the stipulated date. The waiting period after data capture for fresh application is six weeks and three weeks for renewal. This timeline is to enable NIS verify and validate the claims of applicants and confer integrity on the passport issued. It is a reasonable provision in passport administration by global standard.

“It is important also that your details with NIN sync with the data on your application. Any discrepancy will stall your application until it is corrected. The order of the appearance of the applicant’s name especially has been an albatross for many. We have introduced tracking mechanism in the application process, to enable applicants monitor the progress of their application. We shall continue to introduce necessary and available innovations to passport administration in order to best serve applicants in our quest for establishing citizenship integrity”, the Minister stated.

In his remarks, Mr. Adeyinka Asekun, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada, praised Aregbesola and Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Isah Idris Jere, for their dedication to the introduction of the enhanced passport in Canada.