The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed the reactivation of broken-down passport equipment at the Nigerian consulates in Atlanta and New York.
This directive follows numerous complaints from Nigerians in the diaspora urging the government to address the equipment failure that has disrupted passport issuance in these cities.
In a statement released by the minister’s media aide, Alao Babatunde, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has been instructed to deploy new printers to both locations immediately. Babatunde described the move as a short-term measure to resolve the challenges swiftly.
“The printers are ready for installation. This short-term solution aims to address the current difficulties promptly,” Babatunde noted.
As part of a broader reform plan, the minister also announced efforts to simplify the passport application process in the long term. These include the activation of a Passport Personalisation Centre in Abuja, expected to commence operations in the coming weeks, and the expansion of the recently introduced contactless application system to more countries.
“The Ministry of Interior is working tirelessly, ensuring all agencies are aligned in delivering results. At the Nigeria Immigration Service, there has been end-to-end automation of the passport application process, including the introduction of a contactless application system, which was recently launched in Canada,” the statement added.
The minister emphasized the government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to providing innovative solutions for Nigerians while enhancing convenience and national security.
This intervention forms part of the administration’s #RenewedHope agenda, aimed at improving services for Nigerians at home and abroad.
