Nigerian Electronic Passport:what Is It All About & What Is Required?

I recently saw an advertisement on a black foreign TV Station that the Nigerian Immigriation Services will be launching use of electronic passports for nigerians. 
Does anyone know what this is all about?  When is it going to take effect? When will it take effect.

Does this mean that anyone who wants to renew an expired passport will have to go through  a new process?
Kindly provide guaidance.