In a decisive move, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to eliminate the backlog of over 200,000 pending passport applications. The directive was given during a meeting with the Acting Comptroller-General of NIS, Caroline Adepoju, in Abuja, attended by Mr. Yinka Fisher, the Managing-Director of Iris Smart Technologies, the firm responsible for Nigerian passport booklet production.
The minister emphasized that this action is in line with his commitment to streamline the passport acquisition process and resolve the persistent delays in obtaining travel documents. He labeled the backlog a “national emergency” and cited the increasing frustration among citizens. He stated, “The issue of passport is a national emergency; I keep getting emails daily from Nigerians complaining. We cannot continue like this. It has become an embarrassment.”
Dr. Tunji-Ojo, representing President Bola Tinubu, urged the NIS to clear the backlog within two weeks, emphasizing that this was non-negotiable. He also vowed to ensure that outstanding debts are settled by November.
In response, Adepoju and Fisher assured the minister that they would deploy necessary resources and measures to eliminate the backlog, even though the number of enrolments had exceeded 200,000. Adepoju clarified that the NIS had ample booklets to meet the demand.
Additionally, the minister held strategic meetings with other heads of security agencies, including the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, the head of the Nigeria Correctional Service, and the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. He instructed them to develop a practical and executable roadmap within four weeks, detailing timelines, approaches, deliverables, and methodology for their respective agencies.