By Abayomi Grace
The Federal Government has announced a significant reform in passport issuance, promising to deliver passports to Nigerians within one week of application. This move aims to eliminate the delays and frustrations that have long plagued the passport application process. According to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the new system will ensure that passports are delivered to applicants within a week of enrolment, a significant reduction from the previous six to seven months.
The government has centralized the approval process, removing the discretionary powers of Passport Control Officers (PCOs) to approve or delay applications. This move is expected to curb corruption and ensure fairness for all applicants. With the new system, the vetting and printing of passports can be completed in under 24 hours, and the centralized personalization centre, the largest in Africa, enables the printing of five times more passports than currently needed.
The reform also aims to increase transparency and security in the passport issuance process. The new system minimizes human contact, reducing opportunities for illicit demands and ensuring that only Nigerians receive passports. The government has assured that the era of long delays and extortion is over, and that the new system will bring efficiency and integrity to the passport issuance process.
The benefits of the reform are numerous. Nigerians can now expect to receive their passports in a timely manner, without the stress and reliance on third parties. The centralized approval process eliminates the need for exorbitant fees to expedite processing, which previously ranged from ₦200,000 to ₦250,000. The new vetting measures also aim to prevent the illegal issuance of Nigerian passports to non-citizens, restoring the integrity of the passport system.
The success of the reform will depend on consistent implementation, but the government has assured that it is committed to making the passport issuance process more efficient and transparent. With the new system, Nigerians can expect a better experience when applying for passports, and the government can expect to reduce the incidence of corruption and ensure that passports are issued to genuine applicants only .
