The Nigerian Community in Rome, Italy has reached out to the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, urging swift resolution to the challenges faced by Nigerians in the diaspora following the recently introduced e-passport system.
President of the community, Prince Chima Ibezim, emphasized the need for immediate attention during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.
Ibezim, who also serves as the Financial Director of the APC Committee of Diaspora Chairmen (CDC), highlighted the difficulties arising from the National Identification Number (NIN) requirement.
He pointed out that Nigerians, especially those with variations in their names across old passports and other valid identification documents, were encountering obstacles.
Additionally, Ibezim expressed concerns about the increased passport fees for minors, creating financial hardships for non-income earning families.
The facilities were inaugurated at the Nigerian Embassy in Rome by the minister of interior, who emphasised the dedication of Bola Tinubu’s government to citizens’ diplomacy and the enhancement of services to the diaspora community.
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The Federal Government had recently unveiled enhanced e-passport facilities at selected Nigerian Embassies in Europe, with an inauguration at the Nigerian Embassy in Rome on Nov. 8.
Ibezim stated, “The National Identification Number (NIN) has posed difficulties to Nigerians.
“This is especially those with variations or rearrangement of their names in their old passports and other valid personal identification documents.
“Nigerians in the country are also lamenting on the increase in the price of minors who are not income earning and consequently causing more financial hardships for their parents and families.”
He suggested allowing the old e-passport to coexist with the enhanced version for a transitional period, aiming to alleviate difficulties and challenges faced by Nigerians in obtaining the new passports.