President Muhammadu Buhari Launches New Enhanced E-Passport

President Muhammadu Buhari has on Tuesday at the council chamber of Aso Rock in Abuja, launched a new enhanced Electronic International Passport.

Naija News learnt that a specimen copy of the new enhanced electronic international passport was handed to the president by the Comptroller General of Nigerian Immigration Service, Mohammed Babandede.

President @MBuhari receives a Specimen copy of the New Enhanced Electronic International Passport from Comptroller General of @nigimmigration, Mohammed Babandede in State House on 15th Jan 2019.
📷 @BayoOmoboriowo @FemAdesina pic.twitter.com/O8deiv5xrf pic.twitter.com/5pInARSq1n

— Shinaayo (@O_Shinaayo) January 15, 2019

The Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazzau was also present at the presentation of  the new passport to the President.

Briefing State House Correspondents on the enhanced e-passport, Dambazau said the enhanced e-passport addresses the problem of identity theft and that it’s in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirement.

He said plans have gone far to commence the production of passports in the country through the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting company to create employment, technology transfer, reduce the demand for foreign exchange and for security reasons.

Also speaking, Babandede said there are 25 differences between the old and the new e-passport.

@ASO_VILLA PMB was presented the New Enhanced Electronic International Passport… A sigh of relief for Nigerians who often time feel ashamed of the green passport.

How influential Nigerian passport can be?@oluseunolaniyi@Mr_Codemasta pic.twitter.com/JP1gidiXwq

— Yemi.Ayankunle (@yemikoya) January 15, 2019

He said a 32-page new passport with five years validity period goes for N25,000 in Nigeria and $130 abroad, a 64-page passport with validity period of five years goes for N30,000 in Nigeria and $150 abroad and that a 64-page passport with 10 years validity period goes for N70,000 in Nigeria and $230 abroad.

The Immigration boss who said the issuance of the new passport will commence next month, said,” the old and new passport will work concurrently until they are gradually replaced.”

Present at the presentation was Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.