The Federal Government has announced a major breakthrough in passport issuance, promising that Nigerians will now receive their passports within one week of application.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this disclosure at the Ministry’s mid-tenure performance retreat in Abuja. He explained that the era of long delays and backlogs in the passport system was over, thanks to sweeping reforms in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
“Our target is clear, within one week of enrolment, every Nigerian should have their passport. Not just fast delivery, but delivery with integrity,” the minister said.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo highlighted that a six-month backlog of applications was cleared in just two and a half weeks, a feat he described as unprecedented. According to him, Nigerians no longer need to pay exorbitant amounts, sometimes as high as ₦200,000 to obtain urgent passports.
“That era is gone. Even in my own household, we applied and got the passport without any preferential treatment,” he added, stressing that the system now works for everyone.
Centralized Facility for Efficiency
The minister also revealed the launch of Africa’s largest Centralized Passport Personalization Centre, which has drastically boosted efficiency. Once applicants complete enrolment, background checks and vetting are finalized in under 24 hours, paving the way for printing and prompt delivery.
