The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that Nigerians will no longer have to endure lengthy waits for international passports. In a press briefing in Abuja, he addressed the passport backlog issue and assured that applicants would receive their passports within two weeks of applying. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has successfully cleared all 204,332 passport application backlogs.
Tunji-Ojo had previously set a two-week deadline for the NIS to resolve the backlog, and he commended the immigration service for its efforts, emphasizing that this solution was permanent and not just temporary relief. To further improve passport services, the NIS and its partners will upgrade their systems. Starting from December 2023, applicants will be able to upload passport photos and supporting documents online, with only biometrics taken at passport offices.
Additionally, passport front offices will be introduced, allowing people to process their passports conveniently near their residences. The minister stressed that Nigerians should not resort to bribery when dealing with passport officials and encouraged them to report such incidents to the Ministry of Interior. These measures aim to streamline the passport application process and enhance efficiency.
In summary, Nigerians can now expect a faster and more efficient passport application process, with the assurance that their passports will be ready within two weeks of application.
