NIS plans to issue 2m passports to reduce backlog
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
About 1.9 million passports were issued in 2022, an 80 per cent increase versus one million in 2021, making a total 2.9 million issued in the two years by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
But Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola has insisted the current rate of issuance is inadequate to meet demand for 200,000 passports a month and 2.4 million a year, with pressure most acute in Lagos which accounts for half of passport applications.
He said the NIS is ready to improve its capacity and performance with plans to process at least two million passports between January and May 2023.
Aregbesola reiterated at the inauguration of a new passport office front desk in the Alimosho area of Lagos the federal government has made passport application process more seamless with less human contact.
The front desk office only captures biometrics and picture and is not equipped to print passports.
Aregbesola disclosed Lagos alone accounts for 100,000 out of the total 200,000 passport applicants monthly, stressing the new front desk office would reduce the pressure on the passport offices in Ikoyi, Alausa, and FESTAC.
He said the three passport offices in Lagos could only process 1,000 passports each month which is too inadequate to meet demand, and 14 additional front desk offices would be created in the state.
Front desk offices would also be created in Daura, Zaria, Oyo, and other major cities and states across the country, he added.
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Expansion of NIS operations
“Since my appointment in 2015 as the Minister of Interior, we have commissioned 18 commands of NIS. We want to ensure seamless operation in our performance,” Aregbesola said, per Nairametrics.
“This was what gave birth to this facility that we are commissioning today. Lagos needs an additional 14 of these structures to be able to cater for the demands of the state alone.
“This is the first such facility that we are establishing in the country. So, Alimosho has the bragging rights. Whenever anyone tells you that they have a such structure in their state, tell them you had it first.”
Aregbesola stressed the front desk office is not an express centre and warned applicants not to patronise touts.
With more such locations across the country, especially in Lagos, he enthused, passports could be processed within six weeks for fresh applicants and renewal would take only three weeks.
Acting NIS Comptroller General Isah Jere described the front desk office as a legacy project that would bring service closer to the residents of Alimosho and its environs.
He said the office would reduce the complaints of applicants and online application would further reduce human interface.
He challenged officers at the new office to be cautious and professional in dealing with applicants, warning anyone found wanting would be severely punished.
