Nigerians living abroad have raised concerns over issues with passport printing at the Nigerian Consulates in Atlanta and New York. This prompted them to petition the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, seeking intervention to resolve the challenges they have been facing when applying for passports.
In response, Dr. Tunji-Ojo has taken immediate action by approving the deployment of new printers to both consular offices. The printers are ready for installation, providing a short-term solution to the ongoing problem.
“The deployment of the new printers is part of our commitment to ensuring a seamless and efficient passport application process for Nigerians abroad,” said the Minister. He assured the public that the new equipment will be up and running shortly, aiming to alleviate the delays currently experienced.
Beyond the immediate solution, Dr. Tunji-Ojo also shared a long-term vision for improving Nigeria’s passport regime. One of the major components of this initiative is the launch of a Passport Personalisation Centre in Abuja, which is scheduled to commence operations in the coming weeks. This facility is expected to streamline passport production, offering quicker and more efficient services for Nigerians both in the country and abroad.
Additionally, the Minister emphasized the ongoing efforts to expand the reach of the new contactless application system. This solution, which has already been successfully introduced in Canada, will soon be available in more countries, improving the application process for Nigerians in the diaspora.
“At the Nigeria Immigration Service, we have successfully automated the entire passport application process, from start to finish. The introduction of the contactless system is part of our efforts to modernize the application experience and enhance service delivery,” Tunji-Ojo added.
The Minister’s remarks reflect the Nigerian government’s determination to address the passport printing challenges faced by Nigerians overseas, ensuring that all agencies involved work tirelessly to meet the needs of the public. The reforms are expected to provide Nigerians abroad with an easier, more efficient way to access passport services.