Abuja: The Federal Government has announced the issuance of over 3.5 million passports within the last two years, resulting in an annual savings of more than ?1 billion due to significant system reforms. This was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the inauguration of the ministry’s new passport front office in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Minister Tunji-Ojo emphasized that these reforms are in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on enhancing efficiency, security, and service delivery. The minister highlighted that the upload of breeder documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, has been fully automated, eliminating the need for contractors and retaining funds within the government.
The minister revealed that since August 2023, a total of 3,080,141 passports have been issued domestically, with an additional 466,117 issued to Nigerians in the diaspora. Addressing legacy issues, he noted that the administration had successfully cleared over 200,000 backlogged passport applications and a debt nearing ?20 billion.
Tunji-Ojo declared an end to passport scarcity, ensuring that Nigerians will no longer face long queues or be denied access to identification. He announced an increase in enhanced e-passport centers from 26 to 44 nationwide and from five to 47 overseas. All passport offices now issue harmonized enhanced passports, meeting global standards for credibility and verification.
The minister outlined the benefits of the newly launched passport front office, which aims to improve access and document integrity through digital processes. Despite lacking its own passport office until 2023, the Interior Ministry now boasts a central personalization center equipped with advanced technology from Iris Smart Technologies, operational since August.
In a policy shift, Tunji-Ojo stated that by July 31, all SEPAC and TWP applications must be completed online, with manual processing being prohibited to ensure biometric data collection and transparency. He emphasized the importance of digital governance and the government’s commitment to national security.
Tunji-Ojo expressed gratitude towards Iris Smart Technologies for providing workstations and biometric tools free of charge, as well as for installing modern personalization equipment at the NIS headquarters. He also commended ministry directors and technical teams for their support in enhancing service delivery and public trust.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the new passport front office is the 14th in the country, expected to significantly reduce waiting times and ease the process for public servants and their families.
