Buhari instructs Nigerian Immigration Service to increase lifespan of passports to 10 years from the current five

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to introduce a new passport regime increasing the validity of passports from the current five years to 10 years.

 

At the moment, Nigerians have to renew their passports every five years but in a move to reduce the hassle of the process, NIS  comptroller-general Muhammed Babandede, revealed that President Buhari has demanded a review.  He added that the president also approved improved security features and better quality for new passport booklets.

 

Mr Babandede said: “He has approved 10-year validity for passports which is great news. When the report comes, passports will be valid for 10 years which is great news especially for adults from the age of 18 and above.

 

“Although people will pay more, if they can pay more and get the booklets quickly, it’s good with improved security for 10 years validity. They would pay more but the document would be available, that’s good.

 

Also, Mr Babandede added that the new changes, will ease the stress of renewing passports and also help the country. He added that the NIS will ensure that the new policy is introduced before the end of this year because the booklet has to change.

 

“Ten years after the enrolment of the e-passport system, we need to improve the security features. You can’t keep documents for 10 years without seeing decreased values in them, so we are improving the security features which would raise the standards of the passports,” Mr Babandede said.

Share