By Saheed Ibrahim

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has commenced the rollout of its contactless passport applications in Europe, the United Kingdom (UK), and Ireland today.

The new development, which was first introduced in Canada on November 5, 2024, is designed to allow Nigerians to renew their passports without visiting any passport centre for biometric enrolment.

A statement by the NIS Public Relations Officer, A. S. Akinlabi, explained that the Controller-General, Mrs Kemi Nanna Nandap, urged Nigerians in the diaspora to take advantage of the rollout.

“For emphasis, the contactless passport application, which is currently available on Google Play Store (NIS Mobile), is designed to allow Nigerians to renew their passports without visiting any passport centres for biometric enrolment,” the statement said.

It also reaffirmed the service’s commitment to innovative and efficient service delivery worldwide.

In a post on her X account, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, explained that the contactless application is strictly for renewals, not for fresh applications or minors.

She advised Nigerians in the diaspora to apply for the renewal of their passports a year before their expiration dates.

Dabiri-Erewa commended the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Nigeria Immigration Service for the initiative.