FG assures Nigerians of issuance of new passports within two weeks of applying

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Interior had assured Nigerians of a speedy issuance of International passports.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on Wednesday said that no Nigerian would have to wait more than two weeks for an international passport henceforth.

At a press conference in Abuja, the Minister said, “No one will ever wait for two weeks to get passports again. If you apply and have been captured, you will get your passport within two weeks.’’

Speaking further, he revealed that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had cleared all the 204,332 passport application backlogs.

He added, “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. Only biometrics will now be done at the passport office.”

The Minister noted that the NIS and its partners would enhance their systems in order to improve their services, adding that applicants would not be required to go to passport offices to be captured from December 2023.

He added that “People will be able to upload their passport and supporting documents online. Only biometrics will be taken at the passport office.

“We are introducing passport front offices where people can go and process their passport close to where they reside. Solution providers have been given three months to activate this or their contract will be revoked.”

He said the measures would help to speed up the passport application process.

While urging Nigerians not to bribe any official for passports, Tunji-Ojo reeled out contact information to report officials who demand a bribe at any passport office within the country.