New Visa and Passport Renewal Formats for the Embassy in Washington

His Excellency the Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States, Professor Jibril Aminu, yesterday in his office, launched a new visa and passport renewal formats for the Embassy. The new formats, which cover all visa types and the renewal of Nigerian passports were designed to enhance security, revenue collection and productivity.

Professor Aminu explained that with the recent redeployment of staff to the Consular and Immigration Section and the innovations in the issuance of visas and the renewal of passport, he is confident that the public will be better served, and that the revenue base of the mission will improve significantly. He expressed his appreciation to officers and staff who are now in charge of affairs at the sensitive unit pointing out that they have made a noticeable difference, in the short time that they have served in their new positions. He urged them not to relent in their efforts to provide prompt and efficient service to the public and to always uphold accountability in their handling of government funds.

The Minister (Economic and Commercial) who has supervisory role over the Consular and Immigration Unit, Mr. Kayode Garrick, in his comments, thanked His Excellency the Ambassador for giving his committee the opportunity to reorganize the Consular Unit. He confirmed that in six weeks after the committee was established, service to the public had improved tremendously. According to him, the turn-around time for applicants requesting service has been shortened and revenue collection has been improved. He assured that with the introduction of the new visa and passport formats, the situation will improve even further.

His Excellency the Ambassador, in a symbolic gesture, administered a multiple entry visa on the passport of an American citizen who is visiting Nigeria. He also affixed a passport extention notice on the expired travelling passport of a Nigerian who is resident in the United States.

Bolaji Adebiyi
Nigeria Information Service Centre
Washington, D.C.
March 26, 2002.