Minister Tunji-Ojo announces that the Nigerian Immigration Service processed and cleared 204,332 passport applications in the past 10 months, improving efficiency and service delivery.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, has said the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has cleared a backlog of over 204,332 passport applications in 10 months.
Tunji Ojo disclosed this at a media event in Abuja on Friday while enumerating the achievements of the ministry in the last year.
He assured Nigerians that with the current reform measures, there will never again be backlogs of passport applications in the country.
“Over the last year, we have deployed advanced border management technology including GIS (Geographic Information System) and other surveillance tools and infrastructure to enhance national security.
“The technology will enable better surveillance and management of Nigeria’s vast borders and will enable immigration authorities to address contemporary security challenges.
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“As you are aware, we have embarked on a major overhaul of our passport issuance process to address long-standing issues that have frustrated millions of Nigerians.
“One of our key achievements has been the clearing of the huge backlog of 204,332 passport applications that held up many of our citizens for months, and in some cases, years,” he said.
Tunji Ojo said the innovation is aimed at ensuring that Nigerians no longer have to travel long distances or endure the stress of waiting in long queues just to apply for a passport.
He said the initiative has improved both access and security, making Nigerian passports safer and more respected globally.
The Minister explained that efforts are underway to ensure the secure storage and retrieval of sensitive information, and improve the efficiency of national security operations, identity management and service delivery across the country.
Tunjiojo explained that the Federal Government had commenced the installation of a total of 41 e-gates at five international airports in the country to ensure seamless screening of people entering the country.
He said eight would be installed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, 21 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, while four each would be installed at Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt airports.
