The Federal Government has expanded e-passport services at Nigerian embassies in Italy, Spain, Greece, Austria, and Switzerland.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, unveiled the facilities in Rome, Italy, on Monday, saying the new passport processing centres are part of efforts “to streamline passport processing and acquisition for Nigerians residing in the diaspora.”

“The advanced travel document offers three categories: the 32-page five-year validity category, the 64-page five-year validity category, and the 64-page 10-year validity category (for adults only),” the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Dr. Dotun Aridegbe, disclosed in a statement he signed on Tuesday. ⁣

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Tunji-Ojo, who was represented by Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, Acting Comptroller-General of Immigration, announced the progressive introduction of the upgraded e-passport throughout Europe.

Phase one, which encompasses Spain, Greece, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, was officially launched on Monday in Rome, with phase two set to begin by the end of the week.

He went on to say that the e-passport meets all of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s standards, making Nigeria the first country in Africa and the fifth in the world to embrace this technological breakthrough.

The minister, represented by the Acting CGI, stated that the improved e-Passport will shorten processing times in Europe “provided applicants adhere strictly to application guidelines, including utilizing the online application and payment platform at passport.immigration.gov.ng and ensuring the synchronization of their passport application data with their National Identification Number.” ⁣

The event on Monday was also attended by senior High Commission officials, a wide representation of Nigerians in Italy, and members of the diplomatic community.