The Singapore chapter of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) has advised President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime to institute an electronic passport application process to tackle fake web registration.

The President of the NIDO-Singapore chapter, Birinengi Harry, advised the regime while speaking on the heels of the red flag raised by the Nigerian consulate in New York warning against a fake website claiming to register and renew passports.

“Internet fraud remains a huge problem globally, as we migrate towards a digital economy, thankfully the issue of fake websites for registration and renewal of passports has not surfaced here in Singapore,” said Mr Harry. “This may partly be due to the unavailability of immigration services at the Nigerian High Commission, requiring Nigerians travelling to neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, for passport services.”

He further noted that the Nigerian embassy in Singapore had made “noteworthy” efforts.

“In recent years, the Nigeria mission in Singapore has graciously collaborated with their Malaysian counterpart to bring passport renewal services to Singapore,” added Mr Harry. “It will be highly appreciated if this ad hoc arrangement is made quarterly since government services around the world have become more digital.”

He identified e-governance, including accessibility, simplification of processes, and transparency, as the potential benefits of electronic passport applications that could far outweigh the application risks.

He, however, urged the regime and Nigeria’s diplomatic missions to transit faster into the digital space.

(NAN)