Nigeria launches contactless passport renewal system in Europe
By Ukpono Ukpong
The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the Contactless Passport Renewal System across Europe, marking a major milestone in its commitment to modernizing public services for Nigerians in the diaspora.
Announcing the development on Wednesday, the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, described the initiative as a bold step toward eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks and enhancing service delivery for Nigerians abroad.
“As with the case in Canada, this innovative system is designed to eliminate the traditional hurdles associated with passport renewals. Now, eligible Nigerians in Europe can renew their passports entirely online from the comfort of their homes and offices.” the Minister stated.
The initiative follows the successful implementation of a similar system in Canada, where Nigerians have already begun enjoying seamless, stress-free passport renewals without the need for physical presence at embassies.
By introducing the system in Europe, the government seeks to enhance efficiency, accessibility, and modernization in passport issuance, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
According to the Minister, the move will drastically cut down processing times, reduce travel inconveniences, and ensure that Nigerians receive swift, professional, and technology-driven services from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
“The Nigerian diaspora is an integral part of our national fabric, contributing immensely to our development. Hence, it is our duty to ensure they have access to services that match the highest standards of professionalism and efficiency,” he said.
With the new system, Nigerians residing in Europe can complete passport renewals online, upload necessary documents, and receive their renewed passports with minimal hassle.
The government has also emphasized its commitment to security and transparency, ensuring that while services become more convenient, they remain safeguarded against fraud and misuse.
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“As a government, we will continue to uphold transparency without compromising security in all our operations. This launch is only the beginning; we are poised to expand these reforms by bringing government services closer to all Nigerians,” Tunji-Ojo added.
The Minister further stressed that this digital transformation aligns with Nigeria’s broader ambition of building a $1-trillion economy, where technology-driven solutions play a key role in governance and service delivery.
The contactless system is expected to provide a major relief to thousands of Nigerians in Europe, many of whom previously had to navigate long queues, delayed processing, and inconvenient embassy visits to renew their passports.
Tunji-Ojo assured that the government is actively working to expand similar reforms, ensuring that Nigerians worldwide can experience a modernized, digital-friendly approach to accessing essential services.
“We look forward to a future where every Nigerian, whether at home or abroad, benefits from our efforts to modernize and humanize government services,” he concluded.
