Immigration Service Says Technical Glitches Have Been Resolved, Advises Nigerians Abroad to Use Contactless Passport Renewal Platform
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says its Contactless Passport Application platform is now operating smoothly following a series of upgrades aimed at resolving the technical issues that affected the system after its launch.
The Service made the clarification while responding to complaints from some Nigerians in the United Kingdom over delays in passport processing and poor communication at the Nigerian High Commission in London.
In a statement issued by the NIS Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, the Service said the NIS Mobile application has significantly improved passport administration by eliminating the long-standing challenge of securing appointments for biometric enrolment.
According to Akinlabi, the mobile application, introduced in the United Kingdom in 2024, has undergone several updates based on user feedback, with the technical glitches that previously affected the platform now resolved.
He said applicants can download the application through the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, or access the service via the official NIS website.
The Immigration Service also advised passport applicants to follow its official communication channels for updates on application procedures and future improvements to the digital platform.
Akinlabi explained that applicants who were previously assigned distant biometric appointment dates could migrate to the contactless platform and complete their enrolment independently, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
He, however, clarified that the self-service option is available only for passport renewals involving expired passports or passports due to expire within one year.
According to him, first-time passport applications, replacement of lost passports, change of date of birth requests, and applications for persons below the age of 18 are not eligible for processing through the contactless platform.
Responding to complaints about poor communication at the Nigerian High Commission in London, Akinlabi noted that the Immigration Service is not directly responsible for the mission’s front-office operations.
He explained that while the High Commission manages customer-facing services, the NIS maintains regular communication with the mission to improve immigration-related service delivery for Nigerians in the diaspora.
The Immigration Service reiterated its commitment to improving passport services through digital innovation and encouraged Nigerians abroad to take advantage of the upgraded contactless passport renewal platform where eligible.
