Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, says clearing all passport backlogs should take no more than two weeks, adding that there is no reason for passport delays in Nigeria.
Tunji-Ojo stated this on Tuesday during a Channels TV program that was monitored by BizWatch Nigeria.
He also stated that “clearing all backlogs should not take more than two weeks,” and that the shortage and delay in new passport issuance and renewal fostered corruption in the industry.
“After clearing these backlogs, no Nigerian should wait for more than two weeks,” he stressed.
According to the minister, having a green passport is a right, not a privilege, for every Nigerian.
He said, “It’s a right and not a privilege, Nigerians want that right to be actually theirs, not by somebody offering you your right.”
According to him, any Nigerian should not be regarded with disdain because of a passport application.
“What Nigerians want to see is solutions and that is what the President has constantly told us… No excuses.
“In line with the directive of Mr President, it can no longer be business as usual. We have critically analysed all these scenarios – from the point of going online to fill the form to the point of payment, to the point of picking a date, to the point of biometrics, to the point of issuance of passports.
“And we understand the service providers involved and we have been able to see one or two things to put right,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo also stated that he is in discussions with service providers and the Nigeria Immigration Service to digitize and decentralize the process of issuing and renewal of new passports.
“We have to digitise and we also have to decentralise the whole enrolment system and make it (possible) for people to walk into the nearest post office, people can walk into may be financial institutions and some many other ways. We are still playing with so many ideas,” he said.
