The Federal Government has announced a two-week processing timeline for passport applications, signaling the end of lengthy waits for Nigerian citizens to obtain international passports.
Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, shared this information during a media briefing in Abuja, where he reviewed his directive to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to address a backlog of over 204,000 passport applications.
While apologizing for the delay in clearing the backlog, which took three weeks instead of the initially promised two, the minister commended the dedication of NIS officers and staff who worked tirelessly, including weekends and holidays, to meet the directive.
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He emphasized that acquiring an international passport is a right, not a privilege, and reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to keeping passport application costs stable despite foreign exchange fluctuations.
The minister also revealed that strategic meetings with NIS and support from service providers led to an increase in passport printing machines, effectively eliminating future backlogs. Starting December, applicants will be able to upload their passport photos online, reducing the need for in-person visits to passport offices, with biometric enrollment being the only required in-person step.
Overall, the government aims to ensure that passport applicants spend no more than 10 minutes in passport offices to enhance efficiency and convenience for the citizens.
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