The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has responded to the growing concerns of Nigerians in the Diaspora regarding the passport printing challenges at the Nigerian Consulates in Atlanta and New York, United States. A petition highlighting these issues had been submitted by concerned citizens, urging swift action to address the crisis.
In a statement released by Alao Baba Tunde, the Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Publicity, it was confirmed that Hon. Tunji-Ojo has taken immediate action to resolve the matter. The Nigeria Immigration Service has been directed to deploy new passport printers to the affected consulates, with installation already underway. This prompt intervention aims to ease the frustration of passport applicants and restore normalcy in the issuance process.
Beyond this short-term measure, the Minister revealed plans for a long-term overhaul of the passport application process to make it more efficient and accessible. A key component of this initiative is the activation of the Passport Personalisation Centre in Abuja, which is set to commence operations in the coming weeks. Additionally, efforts are underway to expand the contactless passport application solution to more countries, a system that has already been successfully launched in Canada.
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The Ministry of Interior, under Hon. Tunji-Ojo’s leadership, has been relentless in its efforts to modernize and streamline processes across all agencies. At the Nigeria Immigration Service, for example, the passport application process has been fully automated, ensuring a seamless and contactless experience for applicants. This innovation underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve services for Nigerians at home and abroad.
Hon. Tunji-Ojo reassured Nigerians that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is dedicated to delivering on its promise of #RenewedHope. This includes fostering innovation, enhancing convenience, and maintaining national security while addressing the concerns of citizens in the Diaspora.
