Tunji-Ojo Debunks NIS’ Misconceptions Of Passport Application Hiccups

In contrast to claims by the Nigerian Immigration Service that the automated passport application process has become a hindrance for applicants, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has stated that the new system is effective with a mere 4% hiccup rate.

Disclosing this is in a phone chat on Tuesday, the minister said, “We have to introduce this new system in order to stop those non-Nigerians carrying Nigerian passports. Contrary to reports, the new process is working very effectively and hiccups recorded is only 4 per cent, which is significant improvement for a system that is newly introduced and I assure you that in the next one or two weeks we will have a near perfect system.

“We have to improve our process of obtaining passports because passports are a security document. This new system has improved accessibility, transparency and efficiency”.

In addition the Minister revealed plans for contactless biometrics in passport renewal, affirming the government’s commitment to building a better future for Nigerians -home and in the diaspora.

Addressing reports of foreigners exploiting inefficiencies in the previous system, Tunji-Ojo asserted that the new conditions would impede non-Nigerians from acquiring the passport.

Tunji-Ojo highlighted that the new conditions were instituted to curtail the acquisition of Nigerian passports by non-citizens, underscoring the document’s significance as a security document exclusive to Nigerian citizens.

According to the Minister, the new conditions, including the provision of a citizenship certificate, date of birth certificate and the National Identification Number (NIN), have become critical in verifying applicant’s true citizenship.

Explaining the rationale behind the change in cost for the 5-year passport, Tunji-Ojo noted that the new cost was agreed to taking a cue from the cost of the 10-year passport.

“We are building a future for Nigerians where things should be done in a better way. We changed the price of five-year passport because the 10-year passport is N70, 000; so, the one for five years should be half of that amount, which is N35. 000. We are committed to making things better in our country,” the Minister said.

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