NIN Compulsory For Issuance Of E-Passport — Immigration Service

The Nigerian Immigration Service has clarified its position on
the on-going registration of Nigerians on the National Identity
Numbers (NIN), saying that obtaining the number is compulsory for
issuance of enhanced e-Passport.

The Comptroller General of the Service (CGIS) Muhammad Babandede
who announced this, said the NIN which is generated by the National
Identity Management Commission, NIMC, must be provided by all
applicants for international passport.

He explained that providing the NIN by all applicants for
enhanced e-passport would “enable successful integration of their
NIN and Passport data.”

A statement signed by the Service Public Relation Officer, Mr
Sunday James on behalf of the Comptroller General further clarified
that the strike action embarked upon by NIMC workers had nothing to
do with the Service.

James said:”In the above regard and taking cognizance of the
on-going Industrial Action by staff of NIMC, the Nigeria
Immigration Service(NIS) wishes to make the following
clarification: That although some NIMC NIN registration centers are
situated within the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) formations,
it should be noted that space were only provided by the NIS for
ease of doing business through proximity and easy access to the NIN
centers for only passport applicants and Passport related issues
only.

“That it is not in the purview of NIS to issue NIN. As such all
fees relating to NIN acquisition, change of data on NIMC platform
or any other charges relating to NIN has nothing to do with NIS and
therefore not party to the fees charge.

“That all persons who are already in possession of their NIN can
apply and obtain enhanced e-passport in the NIS SHQ, Ikoyi, Festac,
Alausa, Gwagwalada, Port-Harcourt and Kano main Passport Issuing
Centers; subject to successful verification of the NIN;

“That other e-passport issuing centers where the old e-passport
which do not require NIN are issued, remain operational;

“That any arbitrary charges relating to NIN or passport
acquisition requested by any staff of the NIS should be reported to
the following contacts:07080607900; 0814199908;
nis.servicom@nig.immigration.org.ng;

“That a monitoring team has been put in place by the CGIS to
ensure smooth operation in all passport issuing centers.”

The Service said in the light of the above, all intending
passport applicants are “enjoined to pay for passports on-line and
to avoid patronizing touts for any Immigration facility.”

The Nigerian Immigration Service has clarified its position on
the on-going registration of Nigerians on the National Identity
Numbers (NIN), saying that obtaining the number is compulsory for
issuance of enhanced e-Passport.

The Comptroller General of the Service (CGIS) Muhammad Babandede
who announced this, said the NIN which is generated by the National
Identity Management Commission, NIMC, must be provided by all
applicants for international passport.

He explained that providing the NIN by all applicants for
enhanced e-passport would “enable successful integration of their
NIN and Passport data.”

A statement signed by the Service Public Relation Officer, Mr
Sunday James on behalf of the Comptroller General further clarified
that the strike action embarked upon by NIMC workers had nothing to
do with the Service.

James said:”In the above regard and taking cognizance of the
on-going Industrial Action by staff of NIMC, the Nigeria
Immigration Service(NIS) wishes to make the following
clarification: That although some NIMC NIN registration centers are
situated within the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) formations,
it should be noted that space were only provided by the NIS for
ease of doing business through proximity and easy access to the NIN
centers for only passport applicants and Passport related issues
only.

“That it is not in the purview of NIS to issue NIN. As such all
fees relating to NIN acquisition, change of data on NIMC platform
or any other charges relating to NIN has nothing to do with NIS and
therefore not party to the fees charge.

“That all persons who are already in possession of their NIN can
apply and obtain enhanced e-passport in the NIS SHQ, Ikoyi, Festac,
Alausa, Gwagwalada, Port-Harcourt and Kano main Passport Issuing
Centers; subject to successful verification of the NIN;

“That other e-passport issuing centers where the old e-passport
which do not require NIN are issued, remain operational;

“That any arbitrary charges relating to NIN or passport
acquisition requested by any staff of the NIS should be reported to
the following contacts:07080607900; 0814199908;
nis.servicom@nig.immigration.org.ng;

“That a monitoring team has been put in place by the CGIS to
ensure smooth operation in all passport issuing centers.”

The Service said in the light of the above, all intending
passport applicants are “enjoined to pay for passports on-line and
to avoid patronizing touts for any Immigration facility.”