Nigerians in Singapore advocate electronic passport application process

Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Singapore Chapter, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to institute an electronic passport application process, to tackle the issue of fake web registration.

The President of NIDO-Singapore chapter, Engr. Birinengi Harry, gave the advice in a phone interview with our reporter in Abuja.

He was speaking on the heels of the red flag been raised by the Nigerian Consulate in New York warning against a fake website claiming to register and renew passports.

“Internet fraud remains a huge problem globally, as we migrate towards a digital economy, thankfully the issue of fake websites for registration and renewal of passports has not surfaced here in Singapore.

“This may partly be due to the unavailability of immigration services at the Nigerian High Commission, requiring Nigerians travelling to neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, for passport services.

“It is noteworthy, in recent years, the Nigeria mission in Singapore has graciously collaborated with their Malaysian counterparts, to bring passport renewal services to Singapore.

“It will be highly appreciated if this ad hoc arrangement is made quarterly, since government services around the world have become more digital,” Harry said.

He identified e-governance, including accessibility, simplification of processes and transparency to be the potential benefits of electronic passport applications that could far outweigh the application risks.

He, however, urged government and Nigeria diplomatic missions to transit faster into the digital space, so as to achieve targets.