Nigerians can now look forward to receiving their passports without the hassle of visiting passport offices. Citizens will soon be able to apply for and get passports from the comfort of their own homes, thanks to an innovative service. This implies that many Nigerians will no longer have to wait in huge lines at processing sites.
Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, announced the new method at a meeting in Abuja. He explained that the goal is to simplify the entire passport process for Nigerians.
This home service is only available to those above the age of 18 and those who need to renew an expired passport. If you are applying for your first passport, you will still need to visit a center to produce your biometrics.
This new service is part of a bigger aim to reduce human interaction during passport processing. Two Nigerian firms, Irish Smart Technology and New World, have been working on this system for approximately nine months, and it’s intended to make things easier and faster for applicants.
The app’s goal is to save individuals from having to deal with avoidable complications when applying for passports. Many Nigerians have been duped by intermediaries who take advantage of the outdated system. With this app, consumers can now do everything themselves, without the need for further assistance or waiting around.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo also mentioned other significant improvements. Starting in April, passports will be produced exclusively in Nigeria. This means that immigration offices in foreign nations will no longer be able to approve visa applications.
The government would also keep half of the money collected from passport fees to improve the process and eliminate delays.
Furthermore, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) is developing 32 new operations centers across the country to improve security and service delivery. Mrs. Kemi Nandep, Comptroller-General of NIS, stressed that the purpose of this contactless service is to make the procedure more secure and in line with international standards.
In short, the new home service for passport applications is a significant step forward. It will relieve tension for many Nigerians and make getting a passport more faster and easier.
