Taiwo Ajayi
The Federal Government has announced the successful clearance of almost 60,000 passport backlogs by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). This achievement comes in response to an order issued by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, instructing the agency to address the backlog issue, which had been causing administrative obstacles for Nigerians in obtaining passports.
Minister Tunji-Ojo shared this development during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, in Abuja. He revealed that since issuing the directive just four days ago, the NIS has managed to clear almost 60,000 passport backlogs out of a total of over 200,000.
“As of this morning, I can tell you that about 60,000 passport backlogs have been cleared, specifically 59,906. On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, when I gave the 2-week ultimatum, we had over 200,000 backlogs. We have recorded progress, and I maintain my word, those backlogs must be cleared,” Minister Tunji-Ojo stated.
He also emphasized the importance of partnership in achieving the goals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s #RenewedHope Agenda and highlighted the need for collective efforts to address challenges such as human trafficking, veterans’ welfare, underemployment, and poverty.
Dr. Betta Edu expressed her support for the partnership and underscored the Interior Ministry’s crucial role in combatting human trafficking due to its supervisory authority over the Nigeria Immigration Service.
This significant step by the Nigerian Immigration Service is seen as a positive development in addressing the passport backlog issue that has been a source of frustration for many Nigerian citizens.
