The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced plans to significantly increase passport production to 24,000 passports daily once the existing backlog of applications has been cleared. This development was revealed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a visit by a delegation from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to his office in Abuja.
According to the ministry’s press release, Minister Tunji-Ojo stated that approximately 97,000 out of the 200,000 backlogged passport applications have already been processed and cleared. He emphasized that this increase in passport production capacity is part of the government’s efforts to enhance service delivery to Nigerians.
The minister also stressed the government’s commitment to efficient public service and eliminating duplication of responsibilities between agencies and ministries. He cited ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) as an example of streamlining processes for passport issuance.
Progress Made in Clearing Passport Backlog, Says Nigerian Interior Minister
The statement highlighted Minister Tunji-Ojo’s appeal for support from UNODC in providing skills training for inmates in correctional centers. He emphasized that these facilities should serve as centers for inmate reformation, consistent with their designated purpose. The minister urged the UN agency to collaborate with the ministry to prevent duplications that can lead to corruption, assuring UNODC that their interventions would be devoid of political influence.
The UNODC team leader, Mr. Oliver Stolpe, mentioned their visit aimed to explore areas of collaboration and identify opportunities for UNODC’s involvement. This engagement reflects the government’s commitment to improving various sectors, including immigration services and correctional facilities, to better serve the Nigerian population.
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