In order to reduce traffic at the already-established centres and expedite service operations both domestically and abroad, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has pledged that under his leadership, new passport processing and collection centres will be established, particularly for Nigerians living abroad.
According to a statement issued by Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM),
The Minister gave the assurance at the just concluded 6th edition of the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS2023) organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI) in Abuja.
“Nigerians, especially Diaspora Nigerians are to enjoy a seamless passport process and issuance system,” Tunji-Ojo pledged.
The Minister also disclosed that, by February 2024, a complete biometric immigration application process as obtainable in other countries will be implemented to minimise human interaction and facilitate easy passport pickup.
According to him, “Nigerians at home and in the diaspora deserve the best. They don’t have to suffer or sweat to get the Nigerian Passport”.
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The Interior Minister went on to say that the first task on the assignment would be for a team from the Ministry to begin overseeing the E8-Mandate in the United Kingdom.
However, in order to reduce the threat of corruption in the system and increase the efficacy of service delivery to Nigerians, he asked the public to report any unethical behaviour by Ministry employees and their corresponding parastatals.
Tunji-Ojo, whose goodwill message received a thunderous applause, assured Nigerians that they will start seeing the positive changes before February 2024.
Chairman/CEO, NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended the Minister for his positive disposition towards the plight of Nigerians in the Diaspora, particularly with passports issuance.
According to her, “the key thing is, we have to encourage our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora to come home and invest by creating a conducive environment with these packages.”
The theme of the Summit was: “New Vistas, New Aspirations, New Opportunities: The Diaspora and National Development.”
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