NIS spokesman Mr Sunday James said this issuance will commence on Monday March 4 2019 in Abuja. Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari launched this red label passport on January 16 at an emergency federal executive council meeting in Abuja.

According to the spokesman, the advantages of the new passport includes 10 years validity, weather friendliness and self tracking of application and express centers for urgent application. He however disclosed that the new passport will run concurrently with the former one until the former expires.