The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has successfully cleared a backlog of 204,332 passport applications in a span of 10 months.
This significant achievement was highlighted by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a media event organized by his ministry in Abuja on Friday.
The minister elaborated on the successes of the ministry over the past year, emphasizing the reforms that have transformed the passport issuance process in Nigeria.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo assured Nigerians that with the reform measures now in place, the country will no longer face delays in the passport application process. He stated, “Never again will there be backlogs of passports in Nigeria.”
The minister also discussed the introduction of advanced border management technologies aimed at bolstering national security. “In the last year, we introduced advanced border management technologies, including GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and other surveillance tools and infrastructure, to enhance national security,” he explained.
According to him, these technologies provide better monitoring and control of Nigeria’s borders, equipping the immigration service to meet modern security challenges.
A key part of the reforms involved addressing the long-standing inefficiencies in the passport issuance process, which had left many Nigerians stranded.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo said, “One of our key accomplishments was clearing a massive backlog of 204,332 passport applications, a backlog that had left many citizens stranded for months, if not years.”
He further added that the reforms extended beyond clearing the backlog, with the introduction of home delivery services for passports.
“Today, I can proudly say that we have not only addressed this challenge but we have introduced home delivery services for passports,” the minister announced.
The initiative aims to reduce the stress applicants face, eliminating the need for long-distance travel or waiting in extensive queues.
“Passports are now delivered directly to the homes of applicants, a service that has brought immense relief to thousands,” he said, adding that the NIS has also implemented contactless technology to streamline the passport application process.
He noted that the new system has significantly improved efficiency, reducing bottlenecks and eliminating the excessive paperwork of the past. “Nigerians now experience a faster, more transparent, and seamless passport issuance process,” he affirmed.
In addition to reforms in passport issuance, the NIS has established a cutting-edge data center with a storage capacity of 1.4 petabytes, designed to securely manage critical national information such as biometric data and personal records of Nigerian citizens.
This innovation is set to enhance the security and management of sensitive national data, while also supporting more efficient service delivery across the country.
Looking ahead, the minister revealed that the government is also implementing automated border screening processes at major airports, including Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Enugu, and Port Harcourt.
“This is to offer diasporan Nigerians and returning citizens an automated, hassle-free screening process,” he said, emphasizing that the new system would improve efficiency at entry points and ensure that Nigerians abroad return home with ease.
On the international front, the minister highlighted the strides made in enhancing partnerships with global agencies to combat transnational crimes such as human trafficking and smuggling.
These partnerships, he said, have strengthened national security and contributed to the global fight against organized crime.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo also pointed out that Nigeria’s integration into international passport standards, including the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Public Key Directory (ICAO PKD) and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), has further enhanced the security and global recognition of Nigerian passports.
The minister concluded by expressing his confidence in the ongoing reforms, stating that the government’s efforts have not only improved the accessibility and security of Nigerian passports but also elevated their reputation on the global stage.
