The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that the online submission of passport applications in Nigeria may commence from December.
This reform is part of the government’s efforts to streamline and simplify the passport application process.
Tunji-Ojo made this announcement during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today program.
He emphasized the need to make the passport application process more convenient and efficient for Nigerians.
Under the proposed reform, individuals applying for passports will be able to fill out their application forms online, make online payments, and complete the entire process electronically.
This change is aimed at reducing the bureaucratic hurdles associated with passport applications.
The minister explained that international best practices for passport application and collection would be implemented to minimize the frustration experienced by Nigerians during the application process.
He highlighted that the only in-person requirement would be biometric capture, and all other necessary details and documents could be submitted through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) portal.
Tunji-Ojo stated,
“You do not need to go to the passport office to have your picture captured. People apply for American visas, people apply for UK visas, people apply all over the world. Your passport with the required specifications as directed by the NIS will be uploaded on the platform. You upload your passport online, you upload your supporting documents online, so when you go to the immigration office, you spend just like five minutes just to have your biometric captured; that’s all.”
He emphasized that the days of lengthy and inconvenient enrollment procedures at passport offices are over, and Nigerians have the right to experience a seamless and efficient process.
The minister also provided an update on the backlog of passport applications, stating that 204,322 international passports are now ready for collection out of the initial backlog of over 300,000. He urged Nigerians to pick up their uncollected passports.
The ministry is working with the immigration service and vendors to ensure that, starting from next year, international passports are delivered directly to the preferred addresses of Nigerians.