The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, has revealed why the National Identity Numbers (NIN) is compulsory for the issuance of enhanced e-Passport.
In a statement on Friday signed by the Service Public Relation Officer, Sunday James, the NIS boss said all applicants for an international passport must their NINs before their requests will be granted.
He explained that providing NIN by all applicants for enhanced e-passport would enable the successful integration of their NIN and Passport data.
Babandede stressed that all persons who already have their NIN and have been verified can apply and obtain enhanced e-passport in any of the NIS offices in the country.
He, however, noted that all intending passport applicants are enjoined to pay for passports on-line and to avoid patronizing touts for any Immigration facility.
The statement reads: ”In the above regard and taking cognizance of the on-going Industrial Action by the staff of NIMC, the Nigeria Immigration Service(NIS) wishes to make the following clarification: That although some NIMC NIN registration centres are situated within the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) formations, it should be noted that space was only provided by the NIS for ease of doing business through proximity and easy access to the NIN cities for only passport applicants and Passport related issues only.