In a swift response to the growing outcry from Nigerians in the diaspora, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has taken decisive steps to address the passport scarcity plaguing consulates in Atlanta and New York.
Following multiple petitions from Nigerians abroad, the minister directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to deploy new passport printers to both locations. According to Alao Babatunde, the minister’s media aide, these printers are ready for immediate installation to alleviate the backlog caused by faulty equipment.
“This short-term solution is aimed at resolving the immediate challenge,” Babatunde stated. However, Tunji-Ojo is also focused on sustainable reforms to streamline the passport issuance process for Nigerians globally.
One such initiative is the activation of a Passport Personalisation Centre in Abuja, scheduled to commence in the coming weeks. The centre will complement the already-deployed contactless application process, which has been successfully launched in Canada and is set to expand to more countries.
The minister reassured Nigerians of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to providing innovative and secure solutions. “Our goal is to ensure Nigerians experience #RenewedHope with a streamlined, efficient passport regime,” Tunji-Ojo affirmed.
These developments are part of a broader effort to enhance convenience for citizens while maintaining national security. Nigerians in the diaspora can now look forward to improved access to essential services that reflect a modern and responsive government
Comments