Nigeria: Whether the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa verifies identity documents against a database or contacts the issuing authority when issuing an emergency Certificate for Identification; information on how affidavits are verified for authenticity
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 2010 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | NGA103633.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria: Whether the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa verifies identity documents against a database or contacts the issuing authority when issuing an emergency Certificate for Identification; information on how affidavits are verified for authenticity, 1 November 2010, NGA103633.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4e4229d42.html [accessed 19 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In a 28 October 2010 telephone interview with the Research Directorate, an official with the Nigeria High Commission provided the following information.
When issuing an emergency Certificate for Identification, Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa does not verify identity documents against a database or by contacting the issuing authority.
Affidavits attest to the place in Nigeria where an individual was born. The affidavit, usually obtained by a family member in Nigeria, is signed or stamped by a local office of the National Population Commission of Nigeria. The Official stated that in order to be considered valid by the Nigeria High Commission, the affidavit must have originated in Nigeria. He noted that the texture of paper of documents from Nigeria is different from documents originating in Canada. No further verification is undertaken by the Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Reference
Nigeria. 28 October 2010. Nigeria High Commission, Ottawa. Telephone interview with an official.
Additional Sources Consulted
Internet sites, including: The federal Government of Nigeria, the National Population Commission of Nigeria, the Nigerian Consulate in New York, the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC.
