The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announces a transformative initiative for passport delivery, set to begin in February 2024. During the opening ceremony of the International Week at the University of Lagos, he reveals plans to automate the end-to-end passport application process.
Tunji-Ojo assures that by January next year, Nigerians will have the option to complete the application process online. Furthermore, starting from February 2024, passports will be delivered to homes, offices, and locations of choice. This move is aimed at reducing wait times, with an ambitious goal of completing the process within two weeks.
The minister emphasizes the integration of technology throughout the entire application process to ensure a seamless experience. Additionally, he discloses plans to establish 12 new visa application centers globally, with an emphasis on strengthening the visa-on-arrival policy.
In addressing challenges related to identity registration, Tunji-Ojo acknowledges the duplication of identity numbers across various systems, including the BVN, passport, NIN, and SIM card registration. He reveals President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to harmonize the country’s databases.
The minister highlights the significance of identity harmonization, emphasizing that it will streamline processes, reduce costs, and enhance the country’s security architecture.
The goal is to create an interconnected system where data exchange among agencies facilitates smoother processes for passport and visa applications, BVN, and NIN.
