January 02, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has said the automation of the passport application process will commence on Monday, January 8, 2024.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this while inspecting facilities of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in Abuja, alongside the Comptroller General of the Service, Wura-Ola Adepoju, on Monday.
The minister had announced in December that the Federal Government was working to ensure a full automation system of passport application in the country.
Speaking on Monday, Tunji-Ojo said Nigerians will be able to apply and complete their passport application process, including uploading passport photos and supporting documents online without human contact from January 8.
He said the ministry has commenced the training process that will lead to the live launching of the automation.
“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 said.
Tunji-Ojo said the initiative is not only a leap towards efficiency, but also a significant enhancement to the country’s security architecture.
The automated system is expected to expedite the detection of fraudulent passport applications, thus bolstering the nation’s security measures, he said, adding that the Service has stationed document verification officers across all local government areas in the country to scrutinise passport applications in the country.
