Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, revealed plans to revolutionise passport processing for Nigerians, both at home and abroad.
The minister expressed his commitment to creating additional processing and collection centres, specifically tailored for Nigerians in the Diaspora. This strategic move aims to alleviate congestion at existing centres and expedite service operations.
The promising news was delivered during the recently concluded sixth edition of the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit, organized by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI) in Abuja.
Speaking at the summit with theme “New Vistas, New Aspirations, New Opportunities: The Diaspora and National Development,”
Minister Tunji-Ojo assured Nigerians, particularly those in the Diaspora, that a seamless passport process and issuance system are on the horizon.
He outlined plans for a fully biometric immigration application process, modelled after systems in many foreign countries, to minimise human contact and enhance passport collection efficiency.
The target for the implementation of these changes is set for February 2024.
“Nigerians at home and in the diaspora deserve the best. They don’t have to suffer or sweat to get the Nigerian passport,” emphasised the Interior Minister.
Furthermore, Minister Tunji-Ojo disclosed that a dedicated team from the Ministry will initiate the E8-Mandate supervision in the UK, marking the commencement of this transformative assignment.
In a bid to ensure transparency and ethical conduct, the minister urged the public to report any unethical behaviour by officers in the ministry and its associated parastatals.
This initiative is seen as a deterrent to corruption within the system, ultimately enhancing service delivery to Nigerians.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NIDCOM, commended the Interior Minister for his proactive approach to addressing the challenges faced by Nigerians in the Diaspora, particularly in passport issuance.
She emphasised the need to create a conducive environment and attractive packages to encourage Nigerians abroad to invest in the country.
