The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has confirmed that the automation process for passport applications will start operating on January 8, 2024. He also mentioned that Nigerians will be able to apply for and complete their passport applications online, without the need for human contact.
Tunji-Ojo made this announcement during an inspection of the facilities of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Abuja. He was accompanied by the Comptroller General (CG) of the Service, Wura-Ola Adepoju.
The Minister stated that the ministry has already begun the training process that will eventually lead to the official launch of the automation system.
He said, “We are good to go live.
“We are starting the training and on January 8, the solution will be live and direct for Nigerians to have a good feel, a sweet experience based on the Renewed Hope of Mr President.
“We have been able to reduce human contact in passport acquisition to the minimum.”
He also stated that the project will boost the country’s security architecture by facilitating the detection of bogus passport applications and minimizing delays.
Tunji-Ojo stressed the government’s determination to eradicate the use of forged papers in passport applications. He announced the deployment of document verification officers in every local government district around the country to properly examine passport applications.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, revealed earlier this month that the federal government is striving to implement a fully automated passport application system in the nation.
The minister indicated at the time that the automated application system was “99% done” and that the procedure would entail submitting passport images and supporting documentation.
“In fact, we’ve done the testing and we should be going live in the next week or thereabout. As I said, that will ensure that Nigerians, all they need to do in an immigration centre, a passport centre, is just biometrics, just to take your fingerprints, that’s all,” he said.
