Tunji-Ojo: FG to digitalise passport application in Europe February 3

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, says the federal government will process all passport applications online for Nigerians in Europe starting February 3, 2025.

The minister said Nigerians living in the country would have their passport applications fully digitalised beginning from April 1, 2025.

Tunji-Ojo spoke on Tuesday during his first media parley with the heads of agencies under the ministry, themed ‘Plans and Proposals for 2025 and Beyond’.

On October 31, 2024, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced the launch of a contactless passport application system, beginning with passport renewal services, rolled out in phases.

Tunji-Ojo confirmed the completion of phase one and announced that the digitalisation process had already commenced in Canada.

“I think it’s on the 3rd of February, when the contactless passport solution will go to Europe; the entire U.K., the EU, and Ireland,” he said.

“That’s because of people in the U.K., there are some people living in Manchester, some people living in Scotland, United Kingdom, and they have to travel, fly to London, to London.

“Some of these inconveniences, so we are bringing the passport solution to them on the 3rd of February, 2025.

“And as I speak, the app is already on the Google Play store for download. People can download it.

“It allows you to renew your passport without having to go to the embassy. And to the Nigerian citizens wherever they are.

“On the 1st of April, the contactless passport solution will be available from Nigeria to Nigeria.”

‘PASSPORT DIGITALISATION FOR ASIA, AFRICA TO START IN MARCH’

Tunji-Ojo also disclosed that the federal government would initiate the digitalisation of passport applications for Asia and Africa starting in March.

“By April, it will be Nigerians and the Americans, that’s the United States and other countries in the South and North America will come to life as part of the EU,” he said.

“And I think Asia and the rest of Africa should be 1st of March, 2nd of March, 3rd of March, the contactless solution will be available to the rest of Africa as well as Asia.”

On January 21, Tunji-Ojo said all passport applications will be processed online by March 1, 2025, as part of a comprehensive digitalisation effort aimed at improving efficiency and reducing corruption.