Nigerians in Canada are urging the Federal Government to extend its passport intervention programme, following the successful capture of 2,233 applicants across five provinces. The programme, which took passport services to Nigerian communities in Toronto, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatoon, and Calgary between August 12 and September 4, 2026, has been hailed by beneficiaries for its efficiency and speed. The exercise was part of the Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference (NiDEC) Passport Intervention Programme.
The intervention was organised through a partnership involving the Ministry of Interior, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the Nigerian High Commission, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigerian Canadian Association Council of Presidents (NCACP), and local Nigerian Canadian associations. Beneficiaries have reported receiving their passports within four to seven days, commending the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, NiDCOM, and the NIS for the successful exercise.
According to NiDCOM's Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, beneficiaries expressed satisfaction with the speed and efficiency of the exercise. Many praised the officials involved, describing the exercise as evidence of a committed community structure. The programme demonstrated the impact of responsive public service delivery and strengthened the relationship between the Federal Government and Nigerians in the diaspora.
Community leaders have commended the NIS for deploying officers across the five locations and working under demanding schedules, including weekends, to ensure that applicants received the required services. The NCACP acknowledged the roles of NiDCOM and the NIS in coordinating the exercise, noting that collaboration between government agencies and diaspora organisations had made the multi-city intervention possible.
The Nigerian community leaders are now seeking further government support to reach Nigerians who were left out of the exercise. They believe that extending the programme would enable more Nigerians in Canada to benefit from passport services, particularly those who could not participate in the first phase. The first phase captured 2,233 applicants across the five locations, with beneficiaries highlighting the turnaround time and the convenience of accessing the services within their communities.
The programme formed part of the Federal Government's engagement with Nigerians abroad through NiDEC, with the participating agencies working alongside diaspora organisations to facilitate passport services. The appeal for a second phase followed the conclusion of the intervention on September 4, with community leaders seeking further government support to reach Nigerians who were left out of the exercise.
The successful exercise has strengthened the relationship between the Federal Government and Nigerians in the diaspora. With the beneficiaries commending the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and other agencies involved, the possibility of a second phase is being considered to accommodate more Nigerians in Canada who require passport services.
Key points
- Nigerians in Canada seek a second passport intervention phase after 2,233 benefit from the first phase.
- The programme was part of the Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference (NiDEC) Passport Intervention Programme.
- Beneficiaries commended the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, NiDCOM, and the NIS for the successful exercise.
