The Federal Government has unveiled plans to initiate a convenient home delivery service for Nigerian passport applicants, eliminating the need for individuals to queue at immigration offices nationwide. This groundbreaking development is set to enhance the passport application process.
Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, disclosed this innovation on Monday during the opening ceremony of the University of Lagos’ International Week, themed ‘Breaking the Borders of Partnership.’
Tunji-Ojo explained that as of January next year, Nigerians can complete their passport applications online. Furthermore, in February 2024, passports will be delivered directly to applicants’ homes, offices, or preferred locations through collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
The minister stated, “We have commenced the automation of our end-to-end passport application process, and we have given a timeline from which Nigerians will begin to experience the ‘sweet experience.’ By implication, Nigerians will not need to wait longer than two weeks before they get their passport.”
He emphasized the goal of utilizing technology throughout the process to ensure a seamless experience and announced plans to open 12 additional visa application centres worldwide. The visa-on-arrival policy is also being strengthened in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focusing on reciprocity.
Tunji-Ojo raised concerns about the country’s duplication of identity registration numbers, including Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), international passports, National Identification Numbers (NINs), and SIM card registrations by telecom companies.
The minister revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed harmonising these various identity numbers in the country to restore the integrity of travel documents. He emphasized that harmonizing data will streamline processes and enhance the country’s security architecture while saving time, costs, and energy.
“Identity is who we are, what we are, and what we live for. But today, what we have is a duplication of our registration. We have the BVN in the bank, the international passport, the NIN, SIM card registration by telecoms, and so on, all of which request your data. The integrity of our travel documents must be restored through harmonising our data,” Tunji-Ojo concluded.
