- The Minister of Interior announced innovations to enhance passport processing and border security, making Nigerian passports quicker to acquire
- The introduction of E-gates at airports and strategic planning are part of efforts to bolster border security and expedite passport renewal
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that the Nigerian passport is one of the quickest in the world to acquire. During an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday, he discussed various innovations introduced by the ministry to improve passport processing and border security.
Tunji-Ojo highlighted the introduction of an E-gate at airports to enhance the screening of Nigerian travellers. He noted that this is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to bolster border security.
“If you are in London, Ireland, or Scotland and need to renew your passport, you can go to London. There is a daily quota based on the demand from Nigerians,” the minister explained. He stressed the importance of planning for passport renewal, given that the expiry date is known from the day of issuance.
“Nigerian passport is one of the fastest to get. How long does it take to get a British passport? How long does it take to get an American passport? We are one of the best regarding delivery time,” he asserted.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that technology is key to improving the passport acquisition process. “We are on the right path, but we need the proper infrastructure,” he said. He pointed to the development of software applications and data migration as critical steps towards enhancing the system.
“Once we migrate the data and activate all the application systems, there will no longer be issues,” he concluded, expressing confidence in the ministry’s progress towards a more efficient passport delivery system.