Passports will start being distributed to applicants’ homes and places of business in February 2024, according to interior minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
On Monday, Tunji-Ojo gave a speech during the University of Lagos International Week 2023 opening ceremony.
The minister stated that applicants won’t have to wait more than two weeks for their passports to arrive.
“We have started automating our entire passport application process, and we have provided a timeline from which Nigerians will start to enjoy the sweet experience,” Tunji-Ojo added.
By January of the next year, Nigerians will be able to submit their passport applications online, and by February of that year, thanks to cooperation and partnerships with other important stakeholders, they would receive their passports delivered to their homes, offices, and other preferred locations.
“Of course, this would also apply to the way we apply for visas. To make the procedure as fluid as possible, technology is being used throughout.
“We have put everything in motion to open more visa application centres throughout the world in order to accomplish this.
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In this context, we are also attempting to make our policy regarding visas-on-arrival stronger.
We are collaborating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to uphold the philosophy of reciprocity, and a committee has been established within the ministry to do so.
He also demanded data harmonisation in order to restore the validity of travel documents.
We define ourselves by who we are, what we are, and why we live. Today, however, we have a duplicate of our registration, Tunji-Ojo continued.
“Nigeria is arguably the only nation I’m aware of with a BVN for the bank, an international passport, a NIN, a SIM card registration for telecos, and other forms that all ask for your info.
“Through the harmonisation of our data, the integrity of our travel documents must be restored.”
