By Chidozie Dikachi
Minister of Interior, Ogbenu Rauf Aregbesola has disclosed that Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) produced about 1.3 million international passports in 2022 while 300,000 is yet to the claimed.
Aregbesola made the disclosure on Monday in Lagos during the Commissioning of the Alimosho Passport Office in Lagos according to a statement by DCI Tony Akuneme, Public Relations Officer Nigeria Immigration Service.
The Minister said President Muhammadu Buhari gratuitously approved the rollout of enhanced e-passport in more that fifteen (15) Passport Offices in Nigeria and at missions abroad. He further stated that Nigerian passport is one of the most secured in the world adding that Nigeria is among the five countries in the world issuing the enhanced e-passport which is adjudged the most advanced and sophisticated travel document by world-class document experts.
According to the former governor of Osun State, “More than 1.3 million passports were produced in 2022 alone to Nigerians by the NIS out of which over 300,000 are awaiting collection at our various passport offices across Nigeria and some of our missions abroad.
“Today, Nigeria is among just five countries in the world issuing the enhanced e-passport which is adjudged the most advanced and sophisticated travel document by world-class document experts”.
While acknowledging the little glitches associated with the process of obtaining an international passport seamlessly, he advised applicants to ensure that all inconsistences in National Identification Number are resolved as it will continue to pose a challenge on the procurement process.
“Besides making the online application process seamless and user-friendly, we have also set timelines aimed at upgrading verification of breeder documents presented by our esteemed customers thereby enhancing the integrity of the Nigerian passport. Due diligence remains key; the integrity of the passport itself, you would agree with me, is as good as the breeder documents with which it is procured. The overall aim is to strengthen its worth so as to stand its own and compete favourably with the very best in the world.
“There is no doubt that the procurement and issuance of the e-passport has experienced some challenges overtime. However, we have not reneged on our pledge at ensuring effective service delivery to Nigerians through constant review of the passport issuing process with a view to streamlining the process for better performance while also forestalling the activities of passport touts and racketeers within and outside the premises of passport offices, wherever they are located.
“With the synchronization of identity information between the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), we are now faced with delays arising from certain inconsistencies, contradictions or discrepancies in information provided by Nigerians that needs to be resolved. This has caused some delays in the process but I would advise applicants having challenges with their identity to concentrate on resolving same since it bothers on national security and overall integrity of the Nigerian passport”.
He said that the vision of the present administration is to provide a world class infrastructure and technology for the Nigerian Immigration Service to enable them to discharge their duties without hitches.
“Our vision is to transform the agencies under the Ministry of Interior into world class status in terms of human and infrastructural capacity development so as to be better placed to discharge their statutory duties professionally. This vision has seen these agencies grow in leaps and bounds. For the last one year, we have rolled out the enhanced e-passport in more the Fifteen (15) Passport Offices at home and at our missions abroad. This Legacy Project we are commissioning today is one out of many we would be rolling out within the tenue of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari (GCON)”.
Also in his remarks, Comptroller General of Immigration Isah Jere Idris challenged officers and men of the service to reciprocate government gesture by being productive and dedicated to duty.
He said, “This commissioning thus reaffirms the commitment of the Service in ensuring that the welfare of our officers and men are adequately taken care of. This will further boost the morale of our personnel to continue delivering excellent services to our citizens. This beautiful edifice will henceforth serve as the nucleus of operational activities in Lagos Command.
“This project being delivered today is part of the infrastructural renewal that is ongoing in NIS to make our services world-class. May I remind you that given the economic realities of the country, we must hold dearly what we have and put this building to good use. Safety measures must also be strictly adhered to at all times.
“The Federal Government has been magnanimous enough to the Service as most of our proposals and demands are met. We must thus justify the confidence reposed on us by effectively discharging our responsibilities. Our personnel must shun indolence, indiscipline and corruption”.
Present at the event were the Lagos State Governor, His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the executives of Alimosho Local Government Council, traditional rulers, traditional rulers, sister Paramilitary agencies, the military, and other well-meaning Nigerians.
