Passport Service Gets Major Praise As Nigerians In Canada Applaud Tunji-Ojo, NIS

Nigerians living in Canada have praised the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for the successful completion of a passport intervention programme conducted across five Canadian provinces.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the exercise was organised as part of the Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference (NiDEC) in Toronto and took place between August 12 and September 4, 2026.

A total of 2,233 applicants were captured during the programme, which brought passport services directly to Nigerian communities in Toronto, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatoon and Calgary.

The intervention was carried out through a collaboration involving the Ministry of Interior, NiDCOM, the Nigerian High Commission, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigerian Canadian Association Council of Presidents and several Nigerian Canadian associations.

Several beneficiaries expressed satisfaction with the speed and efficiency of the passport processing exercise, with some applicants reportedly receiving their passports within four to seven days after completing their biometric registration.

One beneficiary in Manitoba said she received her passport within a week of completing the biometric process and commended the officials involved for their dedication to serving Nigerians in the diaspora.

Another applicant reported receiving a passport four days after biometric capture, describing the exercise as well organised and efficient.

Representatives of the Nigerian community in Canada said the intervention demonstrated the benefits of bringing government services closer to citizens living abroad.

They also noted that the programme helped strengthen engagement between the Nigerian Government and the Nigerian community in Canada.

Community leaders further commended the Nigeria Immigration Service for deploying officers to the five locations and making arrangements to attend to applicants despite demanding schedules, including weekend operations.

The Nigerian Canadian Association Council of Presidents also acknowledged the roles played by NiDCOM and the Nigeria Immigration Service in coordinating the exercise.

According to the association, the collaboration between government agencies and diaspora organisations made it possible to deliver passport services to Nigerians across multiple Canadian locations through a single coordinated programme.

Following the conclusion of the first phase, community leaders have called on the Federal Government to consider extending the intervention.

They are urging the Minister of Interior to approve a second phase to give Nigerians in Canada who could not participate in the initial exercise another opportunity to apply for or renew their passports.