Nigerians in Canada have commended the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM and the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS for the successful completion of the NiDEC Passport Intervention Programme, which captured 2,233 applicants across five Canadian provinces.
The intervention, held on the sidelines of the Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference, NiDEC in Toronto, ran from August 12 to September 4, 2026, bringing passport services directly to Nigerian communities in Toronto, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatoon and Calgary.
The exercise was executed through collaboration between the Ministry of Interior, NIDCOM, the Nigerian High Commission in Canada, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigerian Canadian Association Council of Presidents (NCACP) and local Nigerian Canadian Associations.
Beneficiaries praised the efficiency of the process, with several reporting receipt of their passports within four to seven days of biometric capture.
An applicant in Manitoba, who received her passport within a week, thanked all officials involved for their dedication, describing the process as evidence of a committed community structure. Another beneficiary, who received his passport within four days, described the exercise as well-planned, organised and efficient.
Community leaders said the intervention demonstrated the impact of responsive public service and strengthened trust between the Nigerian Government and Nigerians in the Diaspora.
They particularly commended NIS officers deployed across the five locations for working demanding schedules, including weekends, to ensure seamless service delivery.
The NCACP also acknowledged the coordination roles of NIDCOM and NIS, noting that the partnership between government institutions and diaspora organisations enabled the multi-city exercise to be delivered as a coordinated national effort.
Community leaders have appealed to the Federal Government, through the Minister of Interior, to consider a second phase of the programme for Nigerians who were unable to benefit from the first phase.
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Editor: Terverr Tyav
