Emmanuel Ochayi
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has assured Nigerians that the days of long waits for international passports are over as one can now get it in two weeks.
During a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, October 4, he declared, “No one will ever wait for more than two weeks to get passports again. If you apply and have been captured, you will get your passport within two weeks.”
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This assurance follows the recent announcement by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) that it has successfully cleared the staggering backlog of over 200,000 passport applications. The minister commended the NIS’s efforts, stating, “Immigration service did three shifts to make sure that we clear the backlogs and to ensure that never again in the history of Nigeria, are we going to have a backlog. This is not a temporary relief but a permanent solution.”
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In a move aimed at further streamlining the passport application process, Tunji-Ojo revealed that starting December 2023, applicants will no longer need to visit passport offices for capturing.
Instead, they can upload their passport photos and supporting documents online, with only biometrics being taken at designated passport front offices near their residences. This innovation aims to reduce physical visits and expedite the application process.
The minister emphasized the importance of transparency, urging Nigerians not to resort to bribery when applying for passports. He provided a hotline (08023753414) and email address ([email protected]) for citizens to report any such incidents at passport offices.
This development aligns with Tunji-Ojo’s commitment to eliminating obstacles in obtaining Nigerian passports and other immigration documents, as he directed the NIS to clear the backlog within two weeks during a meeting with the acting Comptroller-General of NIS, Caroline Adepoju, on September 7, 2023.
With these transformative changes in place, Nigerians can look forward to a more efficient and transparent passport application process, ensuring quicker access to this essential travel document
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
