NIS enhances emergency travel certificate process amid rising passport demand
Sunday Olubiyi, the Passport Control Officer (PCO) for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Ogun, has announced improvements to the process for obtaining an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC), making it more efficient.
In an interview with journalists in Abeokuta on Saturday, Olubiyi explained that the ETC is designed for Nigerians living abroad, especially those whose passports have expired and require a one-time travel document to return to the country.
He also highlighted that despite a recent increase in passport fees, there has been a surge in demand for travel documents.
This follows the federal government’s approval, starting September 1, of revised passport fees.
Under the new fee structure, the cost of a 32-page passport booklet with a five-year validity has increased from N35,000 to N50,000, while a 64-page booklet with a 10-year validity now costs N100,000, up from the previous N70,000.
Olubiyi noted that the surge in passport applications can be attributed to Nigerians abroad planning to visit home during the upcoming holiday season.
“The increase in applications is largely due to Nigerians coming back for vacation,” he said.
He also mentioned that during a recent visit to the command by Comptroller-General of the Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, the new pricing structure was discussed in detail.
(AFRIPOST)
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