The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has unveiled a groundbreaking home delivery service for passports, signaling a significant leap forward in revolutionizing passport services.
During the inauguration of the Nigeria Immigration Service Passport Front Desk Office in Auchi, Edo State, Minister Aregbesola expressed the government’s commitment to creating a seamless and stress-free passport acquisition process for Nigerians, News About Nigeria reports
“What we are doing here is significant for two main reasons. The first is the right (and even the necessity) of Nigerians, especially those in the diaspora, to hold the Nigerian passport,” stated Minister Aregbesola.
He acknowledged that for many individuals, a passport is not just a form of identification but also a symbol of national pride.
He emphasized that for Nigerians living abroad, a passport serves as proof of their existence, and the inability to produce it when required can have adverse consequences.
The government’s aim is to provide passports to all citizens who desire them in a timely manner, at an affordable cost, and with the utmost convenience.
The second aspect, according to the minister, is the need to break away from conventional practices and embrace innovative solutions.
Minister Aregbesola revealed that negotiations with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) are in their final stages to utilize its speedy mail service for passport delivery worldwide.
This partnership represents a departure from the traditional method of passport collection and aims to streamline the process while reducing delays.
“Our current working schedule is that a fresh application would take six weeks after biometric data registration and three weeks for renewal. This is reasonable, competitive, and in line with global best practices,” Minister Aregbesola explained.
However, he acknowledged the challenge lies in the waiting period at the point of application and data registration, particularly in highly competitive centers with high application volumes.
While some centers may experience up to two months of waiting time, the government is actively working to minimize these delays.
The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Isah Jere Idris, also addressed the significance of the initiative. “In the past 365 days, Edo State has processed 56,291 applications out of the 1.5 million passports produced in Nigeria.
The commissioning of this front office will no doubt go a long way in reducing the traffic in Edo State and other neighboring states,” he stated. The establishment of the Passport Front Desk Office in Auchi aims to alleviate congestion and improve efficiency in passport services.
To benefit from the home delivery service, Minister Aregbesola advised passport applicants to plan their travel well in advance, as travel arrangements often require long-term preparation.
He also emphasized that urgent national assignments or medical emergencies would still be processed expeditiously.
With the introduction of the groundbreaking passport home delivery service, the Nigerian government demonstrates its commitment to providing accessible and convenient passport services to its citizens.
