The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced that starting from February 2024, Nigerians will enjoy the convenience of having their passports delivered to their chosen locations, whether it’s their homes, offices, or other preferred destinations.
During the opening ceremony of the University of Lagos International Week, themed ‘Breaking the Borders of Partnership,’ Tunji-Ojo shared that as early as January next year, Nigerians will have the option to complete their passport application process online.
He expressed, “We are currently in the process of automating the entire passport application journey, and we have established a timeline for Nigerians to begin experiencing this streamlined service.
This development means that Nigerians will no longer need to endure long waiting times, as the goal is to ensure that they receive their passports within two weeks.
Furthermore, by February next year, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, passports will be conveniently delivered to their chosen locations, mirroring a similar enhancement for the visa application process.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized the extensive integration of technology throughout the process to make it as seamless as possible.
Additionally, plans are underway to open 12 more visa application centers worldwide, alongside efforts to strengthen the visa-on-arrival policy.
He mentioned that cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is underway to establish the principle of reciprocity.
The Minister also voiced concerns about the duplication of identity registration across various platforms, including BVN in banks, international passports, NIN, and SIM card registrations by telecom companies.
He revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given a directive to harmonize these identity numbers, a move that will restore the integrity of travel documents.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized the importance of harmonizing the country’s database, stating, “Identity defines us, but presently, our registration is duplicated across multiple platforms.
We have the directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, to unify the nation’s databases.”
This harmonization will facilitate seamless data exchange among government agencies, ultimately simplifying processes, reducing costs, and enhancing national security.
