The Federal Government on Tuesday introduced a temporary passport to replace the Paper-type, hitherto issued to Nigerians in Diaspora desirous of returning home but don’t have regular standard Passport.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who launched the E-Temporary Passport, said the four-page travel document is for a one-way return journey to Nigeria.
The Minister also stated that the Passport will address the concerns of Nigerians abroad who have urgent need to return home as well as those who are being returned home by their host countries but don’t have valid Passport.
Speaking at the event, CGI Babandede noted that the introduction of the document is another way of engaging with the Diaspora population with a view to addressing their emergency travel needs stressing that the document can be issued to applicants irrespective of age.
The immigration service confirmed that the Enhanced E-Passport requirements are the same as old passports with regards to application types.
The National Identification Number (NIN) is required and mandatory for issuance of the New Passport.
According to the Nigerian Immigration Service, the temporary Passport has all the Standard Passport features but serves for only one journey and is valid for 30 days.
The launching ceremony was attended by envoys from the United States of America, Amb. Mary Berth Leonard, her counterpart from the UK, Amb. Naeem Khan, the Canadian Asst. High Commissioner, Amb. Nicolas Simard.
Others are Cameroon High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Salaheddine Abbas and the PermSec of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Gabriel Aduda, among others.
