Ogun Immigration boosts ETC process
Nigerian passports
Ogun Immigration boosts ETC process.
The Passport Control Officer (PCO) of the Ogun State Immigration Command, Mr. Sunday Olubiyi, has announced that the process for obtaining the Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) has been streamlined for greater efficiency.
This improvement is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the services offered by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
In an interview with NAN on Saturday, Olubiyi explained that the ETC is specifically designed for Nigerians abroad, particularly those with expired passports who require a single-journey travel certificate back to the country.
“The process for obtaining the ETC has been simplified to ensure quicker service for Nigerians in need,” Olubiyi stated.
Despite the recent hike in passport fees, the Command has seen a steady increase in the number of applicants. This comes after the Federal Government’s decision to adjust the cost of passports, effective from September 1. Under the new pricing structure, a 32-page passport booklet with a five-year validity, previously priced at N35,000, is now N50,000. Similarly, a 64-page passport booklet with a 10-year validity, which was once N70,000, now costs N100,000.
Olubiyi noted that the demand for international travel passports has remained high, particularly as the holiday season approaches. “The surge in applications can largely be attributed to Nigerians abroad returning home for the festive season,” he said.
The pricing review was discussed during a recent visit by Kemi Nandap, the Comptroller-General of Immigration Service (CGIS), to the Ogun State Immigration Command, where the impacts of the new fees were deliberated.
Meanwhile, emerging Nigerian musician Slim Kpoco has called on the Federal Government to create a special window for celebrities to apply for passports, citing concerns about the current three-week waiting period for new passports. “The wait time is uncomfortable for many applicants, especially for those with tight schedules,” Kpoco said.
