The Federal Government has declared an end to the era of long wait times for passports, announcing a streamlined two-week processing period. Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, conveyed this update in Abuja, expressing apologies for the initial three-week delay in clearing over 204,000 passport application backlogs.
As of October 1, all 204,332 backlogs have been successfully cleared, with 91,981 passports already collected and 112,351 outstanding but available for retrieval.
The Minister attributed the success to strategic measures and increased printing capabilities. He acknowledged the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to maintaining current passport application fees despite foreign exchange fluctuations.
Looking ahead, the government plans to enhance the passport application process. Applicants can anticipate future developments, including the ability to upload passport photographs online with specified requirements. This shift aims to reduce in-person visits, making the process more efficient.
The Minister emphasized that by December, applicants may not need to visit passport offices for photo capture, and supporting documents could be uploaded online. This approach aligns with global advancements, enhancing accessibility and expediting the passport acquisition process for Nigerian citizens.
