Interior minister promises to overhaul passport regime with fully biometric structure

INTERIOR minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has revealed that his ministry intends to overhaul Nigeria's current passport issuance regime and introduce a structure whereby a fully biometric application structure is introduced cutting out lengthy queues at centres.

At the moment, even though the passport application form is virtual, applicants still need to physically visit application centres for biometric verification before their applications can be processed. This is particularly problematic in the diaspora, as in many countries, there is only one mission in the capital, forcing everyone to travel down there whenever they want to renews their Nigerian passports.

Aware of the problem, Mr Tunji-Ojo said his ministry will also create new passport processing and collection centres in the short-term, to ease the pressure on the existing ones. He then added that the ministry will be looking to fast-track  service operations in Nigeria  and in the diaspora.

Speaking at the just-concluded sixth edition of the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (Nidcom) and the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI) in Abuja, Mr Tunji-Ojo said that a team from his ministry will kick-start supervision of the E8- Mandate in the UK, as the first part of the programme. He added that a fully biometric immigration application process as obtainable in most foreign countries to reduce human contact.

Mr Tunji-Ojo added: "Nigerians, especially diaspora Nigerians are to enjoy a seamless passport process and issuance system. Nigerians at home and in the diaspora deserve the best and they shouldn't have to suffer or sweat to get a Nigerian passport."

Guaranteeing  that these changes will be effective as from February 2024, he further urged members of the public to report any unethical behaviour by officials of the ministry and its parastatals. Mr Tunji-Ojo promised that such errant officials would be dealt with to serve as a deterrent to others as the government seeks to curb the menace of corruption in the system  and boost effectiveness in  service delivery.

Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Nidcom chair commended the minister for his positive disposition towards the plight of Nigerians in the diaspora particularly with regards to passport issuance. She added that the key thing is to encourage our brothers and sisters in the diaspora to come home and invest by creating a conducive environment with these packages.