By Nkechi Eze
Nigerians in Canada have commended the Federal Government for the successful completion of a passport intervention programme that captured 2,233 applicants across five Canadian provinces.
The commendation followed the conclusion of the NiDEC Passport Intervention Programme, organised as part of the Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference (NiDEC) in Toronto, which ran from August 12 to September 4, 2026.
The intervention, implemented through the collaboration of the Ministry of Interior, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian High Commission, Nigerian Canadian Association Council of Presidents (NCACP) and local Nigerian Canadian associations, took passport services directly to communities in Toronto, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatoon and Calgary.
The initiative was designed to bring passport services closer to Nigerians in Canada and ease the challenges associated with accessing consular and immigration services.
Several beneficiaries expressed satisfaction with the efficiency and turnaround time of the exercise, with some reporting that they received their passports within four to seven days of completing their biometric capture.
An applicant in Manitoba, who received her passport within a week of her biometric capture, commended the officials involved for their dedication, describing the process as evidence of a committed community structure.
Another beneficiary, who received her passport within four days, described the exercise as well planned, organised and efficient.
Community stakeholders said the intervention demonstrated the impact of responsive public service while strengthening the relationship between the Nigerian Government and Nigerians in the diaspora.
They particularly commended the Nigeria Immigration Service for deploying officers across the five locations and working under demanding schedules, including weekends, to ensure that applicants received the required services.
The Nigerian Canadian Association Council of Presidents also recognised the contributions of NiDCOM and the NIS to the coordination of the exercise.
The council noted that the partnership between government institutions and diaspora organisations enabled the multi-city intervention to be delivered as a coordinated national effort.
Following the completion of the programme, community leaders appealed to the Federal Government, through the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to consider a second phase of the intervention to accommodate Nigerians in Canada who could not benefit from the first phase.
