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3.5 Million Nigerian Passports Issued in Two Years – Minister

Major Reforms in Nigerian Passport Issuance

The Nigerian federal government has made significant strides in improving the passport issuance process, with over 3.5 million passports issued within two years. This achievement is part of a broader initiative to enhance efficiency, security, and service delivery across the country. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, highlighted these developments during the inauguration of the ministry’s new passport front office in Abuja.

Automation and Cost Savings

One of the key reforms introduced by the ministry involves the automation of document uploads, including birth and marriage certificates. This move has led to substantial cost savings, with the government saving over ₦1 billion annually. According to Mr. Tunji-Ojo, this reform ensures that Nigerians can now perform tasks that previously required external contractors, allowing the funds to remain within the government.

Since August 2023, the ministry has issued 3,080,141 passports locally and 466,117 in the diaspora. These figures reflect the progress made in addressing previous challenges related to passport availability and accessibility.

Addressing Legacy Issues

The administration inherited a significant backlog of over 200,000 passport applications and a debt of nearly ₦20 billion. However, the minister confirmed that both the backlog and debt have been fully cleared since taking office. This accomplishment marks a turning point in ensuring that Nigerians no longer face long queues or denied access to identification documents.

Expansion of E-Passport Centres

To further improve the passport issuance process, the number of enhanced e-passport centres has increased from 26 to 44 nationwide. Additionally, the number of overseas centres has expanded from five to 47. All passport offices now issue harmonized enhanced passports that meet global best practices.

Mr. Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the previous system had inconsistent passport types, which affected credibility. Now, every Nigerian passport is ICAO-compliant and globally verifiable, ensuring greater trust and recognition internationally.

Digital Processes and Security

The launch of the new passport front office is designed to expand access and strengthen document integrity through digital processes. The minister described this as a significant step in easing access to travel documents for public servants.

Until 2023, the Interior Ministry supervising NIS lacked its own passport office. The new central personalization centre, equipped with modern technology from Iris Smart Technologies, will be operational by August. The company provided advanced equipment at no cost to the government, showcasing a collaborative effort to enhance the system.

Policy Shifts and Biometric Data

A notable policy shift involves the requirement for all SEPAC and TWP applications to be completed online by 31 July. Manual processing will be outlawed from that date, emphasizing the importance of biometrics and transparency in the process.

Mr. Tunji-Ojo stressed that the government must know what it is selling and to whom, highlighting that biometrics and transparency are non-negotiable. He noted that manual processing will be prohibited, with biometric data collected from all applicants for national security purposes.

Commitment to Digital Governance

These reforms demonstrate the government’s commitment to digital governance, transparency, and efficient service delivery. The minister praised Iris Smart Technologies for supplying workstations and biometric tools for the new passport office free of charge. The same partner also installed modern personalisation equipment at the NIS headquarters, again at no cost to the government.

Mr. Tunji-Ojo appreciated the efforts of ministry directors and technical teams, urging their continued support for improving service and public trust.

Impact on Public Servants

The new passport front office is expected to significantly reduce waiting time and stress for public servants and their families. As the 14th passport front office in the country, it represents a major milestone in enhancing access to essential travel documents.

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