Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of the Interior, has ordered the reactivation of malfunctioning equipment at the passport offices in Atlanta and New York in a swift response to the worries of Nigerians living abroad regarding the lack of passports.
According to Tunji-Ojo, the decision was made in response to appeals from Nigerians living overseas pleading with the government to fix the malfunctioning equipment at the consulates in both American cities.
The minister instructed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to quickly install new printers at the passport offices in both US cities, according to a statement released by his media assistant, Alao Babatunde.
“These printers are prepared for installation, and the aim of this short-term solution is to promptly address the current challenge, according to the statement.
“The Minister hinted that there is a new solution being implemented as a long-term plan that will usher in a streamlined passport regime, enabling Nigerians to apply for their passports with more ease.
“Part of this plan includes the activation of the Passport Personalisation Centre ( PPC) in Abuja, which is scheduled to start in the next few weeks while also opening up more countries for the already-deployed contactless solution.
“The Ministry of Interior under the Minister is working round the clock, and none of the agencies is left behind. At the Nigeria Immigration Service, for instance, there has been an end-to-end automation of the passport application process and the introduction of the contactless application process, which has since been launched in Canada.
“The Minister assures that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians experience #RenewedHope laced with innovation and convenience while still enhancing national security.”