The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has announced that the automation of passport application process in Nigeria will commence on January 8, 2024, enabling citizens to apply and complete the process online without human contact, aiming to enhance security and provide greater convenience.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says automation of passport application process will begin from January 8, 2024, and Nigerians will be able to apply and complete their passport application process online without human contact.
“We are good to go live,” Tunji-Ojo said Monday in Abuja during an inspection of facilities of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) alongside the Comptroller General (CG) of the Service, Wura-Ola Adepoju.
“We are starting the training and on January 8, the solution will be live and direct for Nigerians to have a good feel, a sweet experience based on the Renewed Hope of Mr President.
“We have been able to reduce human contact in passport acquisition to the minimum,” the minister said, adding that the new initiative will enhance the security architecture of the country as well as the comfort and convenience of Nigerians.
Recall in the last two years, Nigerians seeking to acquire new International passports have constantly been confronted with challenges of being overcharged by the touts and agents whom now use that as a means of livelihood in connection with immigration officials across the country.
A social media user on X app who shares his encounters trying to get a news passport said:
“I applied for a passport renewal online, not knowing that it is an offense to the Immigration staff for trying evade extortion. Now, I have to pay the sum of 52k with 26k extra as penalty for following the legit process. We shall see how this progress plays out.”
