According to information released by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), international passports will now be processed and picked up two weeks after registration.
On behalf of DCG Saadatu Hassan, the NIS Comptroller General Caroline Adepoju revealed the details over the weekend at the NIS Passport Front Office’s commissioning in Offa.
“In contrast to the past, when people had to wait weeks to obtain their passport, we now live in a time where passports can be obtained in two weeks.
“The appointment of Dr. Olubunmi Ojo, the current Minister of Interior, who the Almighty has used to perform the good work, for the benefit of Nigerians, is when this development started,” Adepoju stated.
According to the Comptroller General, adults are the intended recipients of the 64-page passport, which is valid for ten years, whereas the 32-page passport is intended for youngsters and expires after five years.
She recommended that instead of complaining on social media, candidates should report any issues they ran into throughout the registration process by contacting them directly or via their accessible website.
“We have employees who report issues through our website, Facebook page, and other official channels. However, they don’t use our name on social media platforms merely to attract attention,” the spokesperson stated.
Adepoju also recommended applicants to make sure that all of the information on their International Passport matches the information on their National Identity Number (NIN), stating that it should be organised appropriately.
She clarified, “This is one of the main reasons that there are delays in passport collection and that many people are complaining about the length of time it takes to process passports.”
The Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Badamasi Esuwoye II, was congratulated by the head of NIS for his generosity in donating the NIS Passport Office and supplying all the supplies needed for the building.
She stated, “I am happy for Offa as it will spring up lots of opportunities and help to increase economic activities in Offa Town. Offa is one of the few states in Nigeria that has two passport offices.”
State Comptroller of Immigration, Comptroller Aminu Shamsuddin, expressed gratitude to the Offa Olofa and the Organisation of Development Union (ODU) for their human kindness, perseverance, and good gesture.
Shamsuddin stated that Olofa was willing to fund NIS Passport Front office right away since he had always wished to relieve his students’ burden.
Additionally, he expressed gratitude to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for the excellent work of his administration and, in particular, to the Minister and CG for their permission and aid in making it effective.
Oba Muftau Badamasi Esuwoye II, the Olofa of Offa, had earlier stated that he sponsored the creation of a passport office in Offa due to numerous complaints from his subjects and other individuals, as well as delays in passport collection.
He went on to say that the initiative was made possible and a dream realised with the help of the diligent Minister of the Interior and NIS CG.
People in the diaspora now receive their passports in less than a month, which is a permanent difference from the months it used to take to obtain a passport abroad.
“In the meantime, individuals in Nigeria can now obtain their passport in less than two weeks,” he stated.
Olofa stated that the need for passports has grown and praised the Minister and CG for their efforts in setting up additional Passport Front offices.
He went on to say that having a Passport Front office in Offa will boost productivity and prevent his subjects from having to go to neighbouring states to get their passports completed.
The first-class traditional ruler said that the new NIS office belonged to all Nigerians, not only the Offa people, and he urged everyone to take advantage of the opportunity and obtain a passport.
