Nigerians Can Soon Get Passports in Two Weeks, Says Minister
In a promising update, the Minister of Interior, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed that a significant portion of the 200,000-passport backlog is already cleared, with 55,000 applications processed. This achievement comes as part of ongoing efforts to streamline passport issuance in Nigeria. Tunji-Ojo has set a two-week deadline for the Immigration authorities to clear the remaining backlog.
The Minister emphasized the importance of efficient passport services, ensuring that Nigerians do not face undue delays in obtaining passports, which are essential for various purposes, including international travel. He expressed confidence that once the backlog is entirely cleared, Nigerians will be able to receive their passports within just two weeks of application.
In a related development, Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, pledged her ministry’s support to widows of security personnel from various agencies. This support includes providing access to soft loans. Additionally, inmates at correctional facilities will benefit from skills acquisition programs aimed at equipping them with valuable skills for reintegration into society.
Dr. Edu emphasized her ministry’s expanded mandate, which now covers approximately 16 million Nigerians vulnerable to insecurity and displacement, leading to humanitarian crises. This collaborative effort between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation aims to expedite passport issuance and provide crucial support to those in need, contributing to enhanced services and assistance for Nigerian citizens.
