NIS automating passport process to eliminate touts, corruption
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Passport application process is being automated to eliminate stress and delay, as well as touts and corruption, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced.
Acting NIS Comptroller General Caroline Adepoju disclosed on Channels Television the aim is to eliminate or reduce human interface in the process of application for passport, new or renewal.
“One thing Nigerians know about the Nigeria Immigration Service is the issuance of the Nigerian passport and we know the number of Nigerians that have applied for passports in the past two years have been very high and unprecedented,” she said.
“But be that as it may, the Service is working hard to ensure that we meet the expectations of Nigerians. Number one, we are automating our passport application process; we are trying to ensure that we cut out human interface.
“Our applications are available online and we are trying to sensitise our applicants that they should go online for these applications to avoid patronising louts.
“The passport is a security document, it will take some time before it is issued. There are a number of processes like carrying out security checks, address verification, among others.”
__________________________________________________________________
Related articles:
NIS announces 97,000 passports ready for collection
NIS declares state of emergency in passport issuance
Passport applicants to pay N1,000 extra for NIN verification
__________________________________________________________________
Begin application six months before expiration
Adepoju advised Nigerians to start passport renewal application six months before expiration, and fresh applicants do not need to wait till they need the passport to begin the process.
“So, I try as much as possible to let people know that if you are renewing your passport, don’t wait until it is completely expired,” she stressed, per Vanguard.
“You can start your application process when you have six months validity on it. Then for fresh applicants, they don’t have to wait until the very last moment when they need the passport.”
It takes six weeks to get a new passport ready and three weeks for renewal, Adepoju reiterated.
She said the NIS is making effort to ensure applicants do not need to go to passport offices for renewal, since their data is already captured on the system.
“Presently, considering the crowds in our passport offices, I’m trying to put up a memo to the appropriate quarters that something should be done about renewal as it is done in other climes.
“Once we have your data, we should be able to renew your passport by online application without necessarily going into the passport offices; that will reduce the crowd.
“So, visiting the passport office will be left to only fresh applicants who need their data to be captured.”