FG Rolls Out Enhanced Passport, Commissions CPPC In Canada

Federal government on Tuesday rolled out the new enhanced e-passport and commissioned the Central Passport Production Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada , to enable Nigerians living there to have access to the highly coveted 64-page 10-year validity passport.

A statement by the media adviser to the Minister of Interior, Sola Fasure, quoted the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as saying that Nigeria is amongst the first five countries in the world to have this enhanced passport and the first in Africa

Aregbsola was also quoted thus: “The enhanced version we are presenting is the latest technology in identity documentation. It comes with additional security and in various categories, including the 64-page-10-year validity Passport which is quite convenient for frequent travellers.

“It is a product of the latest technology in passport administration and issuance. Only very few countries in the world can boast of it as of today. Indeed, Nigeria is among the first five countries in the world and the first in Africa to have this enhanced e-passport.

The minister further revealed that the document is of higher grade with additional 25 security features than the one currently in use. "It is polycarbonate in design and therefore water-resistant. It cannot be compromised by counterfeiters and identity thieves."

He commended the Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada for his commitment to ensuring that Canada had its own passport production centre, stating that with the new enhanced passport, Nigerians will now apply, pay and book appointments online directly from the Nigeria Immigration Service Portal.

“It is important that all applicants go through the Nigeria Immigration Service portal and follow the protocol laid down, pay the right fee and go for biometric data capture