The Federal Government has approved three categories of fees for the verification of National Identification Numbers to speed up the process of passport application and issuance.
The new arrangement, which will take effect from April 1, is in furtherance of the directive by the government to streamline passport application, renewal, and issuance processes.
Under the new arrangement, Nigerians seeking to obtain such verification at home — anywhere within the country — will pay N1000, those elsewhere but on the African continent will pay $5, and those domiciled in other countries outside Africa will pay $15.
According to a statement by the Head of Corporate Communications of the National Identity Management Commission, Kayode Adegoke, the development is a joint framework with the Nigerian Immigration Service.
Adegoke explained that the move is meant “to significantly improve the quality of service, accuracy, and speed of passport services through the timely verification of the National Identification Number (NIN).
“This new arrangement is in furtherance of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy’s directive to streamline passport application, renewal, and issuance processes.”
He added, “The NIMC and the NIS have agreed on a revised applicant journey that will significantly improve the speed of passport issuance/re-issuance and reduce the traffic visiting the NIS office(s). “The NIN service, fees, and the new NIS process will go live on 1st April 2023.”