Federal government of Nigeria yesterday (Thursday) announced major reforms and costs for all the categories of the Nigerian e-passport. According to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the reforms are aimed at forestalling identity theft and conforming to international standards.
The reforms are contained in a statement signed by the comptroller-general of Nigeria Immigration Service, David Parradang. The statement also revealed that the reforms have been approved by the Nigerian government and conveyed in a letter dated Feb. 5, 2014, from the Ministry of Interior.
It also revealed new fees for the processing of e-passports and new categories.
A 64-page frequent traveller’s passport would be obtained at N20,000. Paassports for 18 to 60 year-olds would go for N15,000 while those for people below 18 years as well as 60 years and above would be procured at N8,750.
Also approved is the charge for change of data/lost passport which would cost N20,000. In the same vein, change of names due to marriage, divorce and death of spouse would be effected at N8,750 while change of data on request would attract N30,000 as processing fees.
The service said the advantages of the reform include gender friendliness and care for the young and the aged.
“The reform also accommodates frequent travelers, forestalls identity theft and conforms to international best practice,’’ it said.
