The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has ordered the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to deploy new printers to the passport offices in Atlanta and New York Consulates of the United States of America (USA).
This is coming on the heels of Tunji-Ojo acknowledging the receipt of a petition bothering on appeal for passport printers in both cities.
In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, he noted that there are plans to make the application process easier for Nigerians.
“To address this issue, the Minister has since approved and directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to immediately deploy new printers to the passport offices in both cities. These printers are ready for installation. This short-term solution aims to resolve the current challenge promptly.
“The Minister hinted that there is a new solution being implemented as a long-term plan that will usher in a streamlined passport regime, enabling Nigerians to apply for their passports with more ease.
“Part of this plan includes the activation of the Passport Personalisation Centre in Abuja, which is scheduled to start in the next few weeks while also opening up more countries for the already-deployed contactless solution,” the statement said.
Mr. Tunji-Ojo disclosed that the Ministry of Interior under his leadership, is working round the clock, and none of the agencies is left behind.
He explained that at the NIS, for instance, there has been an end-to-end automation of the passport application process – and the introduction of the contactless application process, which has since been launched in Canada.
He also assured that President Bola Tinubu remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians experience ‘Renewed Hope’ laced with innovation and convenience, while still enhancing national security.
