08-28-2025, 01:46 PM
Nigeria Immigration Service at the Forefront of Tech-Driven Reforms
![[Image: _118462681_nis.jpg.webp]](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/ws/800/cpsprodpb/48C2/production/_118462681_nis.jpg.webp)
Nigeria Immigration Service at the Forefront of Tech-Driven Reforms is the overarching theme in today's news regarding the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). The service is no longer just about border control and passport issuance; it's actively embracing technology to streamline processes, combat corruption, and enhance national security. From the implementation of a new e-Visa system to a major upward review of passport fees, the NIS is making strategic moves aimed at modernizing its operations and improving service delivery for both citizens and foreign nationals.
Passport Fees on the Rise: A Push for Quality and Integrity 💰
One of the most significant pieces of news today is the upward review of Nigerian Standard Passport fees. The NIS announced that the new fees, which will take effect on September 1, 2025, are a bid to uphold the "quality and integrity" of the Nigerian passport. The new fee structure sets a 32-page passport with a 5-year validity at N100,000 and a 64-page passport with a 10-year validity at N200,000. These fees apply only to applications made within Nigeria. For Nigerians in the diaspora, the fees remain unchanged. This move, while a significant financial increase for many, is part of a broader push to cover the high cost of producing modern, security-enhanced passports and to reduce the reliance on external funding. You can find the official press release from the NIS on their website here: NIS Announces Upward Review of Passport Fees.
Digital Transformation: The Rollout of E-Visa and Automated Systems 🌐
Beyond the fee increase, the NIS is making waves with its commitment to digital transformation. In collaboration with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the NIS recently held a stakeholders' sensitization workshop on the implementation of the new e-Visa, Landing, and Exit Card systems. This initiative, which began in May 2025, is a major step toward a paperless, more efficient immigration process. The new systems are designed to strengthen border control and data intelligence, while also making it easier for foreign visitors to obtain visas.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has warned airlines against bringing passengers without valid visas or the new Landing and Exit Cards, emphasizing that national security is non-negotiable. This new policy puts the responsibility on airlines to verify a passenger's visa before boarding. The NIS has also been busy warning the public against fake e-visa websites, urging everyone to use the official portal for all applications. This push for digitization is not limited to visas, as the NIS is also training passport officers on innovations in passport administration and is using electronic document management systems to track applications and eliminate human interference. For more on the e-Visa and other digital reforms, the official NIS portal provides extensive information: The Nigeria Immigration Service Portal.
A Global and Domestic Focus: Partnerships and Public Outreach 🤝
The NIS's recent activities show a commitment to both international partnerships and domestic reforms. The Comptroller General, Kemi Nanna Nandap, has been a key figure in these initiatives. The NIS has partnered with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) for a regional maritime security workshop, underscoring its commitment to enhancing security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Domestically, the NIS has announced an amnesty window for foreign nationals with irregular immigration status. This special initiative provides an opportunity for individuals with expired visas or other issues to regularize their stay legally without penalties before September 30, 2025. This shows a compassionate yet firm approach to enforcing new visa policies. Furthermore, the NIS has received an award for "Security Partnership Recognition" from the Nigeria Police, a testament to its collaborative efforts with other security agencies. You can read more about the amnesty and other domestic initiatives on the NIS news archives: NIS News Archives.
Conclusion: Navigating a New Path
Today's news on the Nigeria Immigration Service paints a picture of a dynamic and evolving agency. From a significant hike in passport fees to the widespread implementation of new digital systems, the NIS is undergoing a transformation aimed at improving its efficiency, enhancing security, and aligning its processes with global best practices. While these changes may present challenges for citizens and foreign nationals alike, they are a clear sign that the service is committed to moving away from its old, bureaucratic image and embracing a new, technology-driven future.
#NigeriaImmigrationService #NIS #Passport #Visa #Nigeria #ePassport #NISnews #DigitalTransformation #Immigration #Security #NigeriaNews
Nigeria Immigration Service at the Forefront of Tech-Driven Reforms is the overarching theme in today's news regarding the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). The service is no longer just about border control and passport issuance; it's actively embracing technology to streamline processes, combat corruption, and enhance national security. From the implementation of a new e-Visa system to a major upward review of passport fees, the NIS is making strategic moves aimed at modernizing its operations and improving service delivery for both citizens and foreign nationals.
Passport Fees on the Rise: A Push for Quality and Integrity 💰
One of the most significant pieces of news today is the upward review of Nigerian Standard Passport fees. The NIS announced that the new fees, which will take effect on September 1, 2025, are a bid to uphold the "quality and integrity" of the Nigerian passport. The new fee structure sets a 32-page passport with a 5-year validity at N100,000 and a 64-page passport with a 10-year validity at N200,000. These fees apply only to applications made within Nigeria. For Nigerians in the diaspora, the fees remain unchanged. This move, while a significant financial increase for many, is part of a broader push to cover the high cost of producing modern, security-enhanced passports and to reduce the reliance on external funding. You can find the official press release from the NIS on their website here: NIS Announces Upward Review of Passport Fees.
Digital Transformation: The Rollout of E-Visa and Automated Systems 🌐
Beyond the fee increase, the NIS is making waves with its commitment to digital transformation. In collaboration with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the NIS recently held a stakeholders' sensitization workshop on the implementation of the new e-Visa, Landing, and Exit Card systems. This initiative, which began in May 2025, is a major step toward a paperless, more efficient immigration process. The new systems are designed to strengthen border control and data intelligence, while also making it easier for foreign visitors to obtain visas.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has warned airlines against bringing passengers without valid visas or the new Landing and Exit Cards, emphasizing that national security is non-negotiable. This new policy puts the responsibility on airlines to verify a passenger's visa before boarding. The NIS has also been busy warning the public against fake e-visa websites, urging everyone to use the official portal for all applications. This push for digitization is not limited to visas, as the NIS is also training passport officers on innovations in passport administration and is using electronic document management systems to track applications and eliminate human interference. For more on the e-Visa and other digital reforms, the official NIS portal provides extensive information: The Nigeria Immigration Service Portal.
A Global and Domestic Focus: Partnerships and Public Outreach 🤝
The NIS's recent activities show a commitment to both international partnerships and domestic reforms. The Comptroller General, Kemi Nanna Nandap, has been a key figure in these initiatives. The NIS has partnered with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) for a regional maritime security workshop, underscoring its commitment to enhancing security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Domestically, the NIS has announced an amnesty window for foreign nationals with irregular immigration status. This special initiative provides an opportunity for individuals with expired visas or other issues to regularize their stay legally without penalties before September 30, 2025. This shows a compassionate yet firm approach to enforcing new visa policies. Furthermore, the NIS has received an award for "Security Partnership Recognition" from the Nigeria Police, a testament to its collaborative efforts with other security agencies. You can read more about the amnesty and other domestic initiatives on the NIS news archives: NIS News Archives.
Conclusion: Navigating a New Path
Today's news on the Nigeria Immigration Service paints a picture of a dynamic and evolving agency. From a significant hike in passport fees to the widespread implementation of new digital systems, the NIS is undergoing a transformation aimed at improving its efficiency, enhancing security, and aligning its processes with global best practices. While these changes may present challenges for citizens and foreign nationals alike, they are a clear sign that the service is committed to moving away from its old, bureaucratic image and embracing a new, technology-driven future.
#NigeriaImmigrationService #NIS #Passport #Visa #Nigeria #ePassport #NISnews #DigitalTransformation #Immigration #Security #NigeriaNews