Nigeria is set to expand its contactless passport renewal service to the United Kingdom, United States, Italy, and France by January 2025, according to a recent announcement by the country’s Interior Minister, Rauf Tunji-Ojo.
This step is part of a broader initiative to modernize and streamline the passport renewal process, addressing long-standing inefficiencies and a significant backlog in passport applications.
During an interview with ARISE News on December 18, 2024, Minister Tunji-Ojo confirmed that the move to extend the service to more countries marks a significant phase in the Nigerian government’s efforts to tackle the passport crisis.
The minister revealed that there had been over 200,000 pending passport applications, a problem that has long plagued the country. To resolve this, the government has introduced several new measures, including a complete overhaul of the passport system to eliminate delays and loopholes.
“We are committed to ending this backlog once and for all,” Tunji-Ojo said during the interview. “Over 200,000 applications are pending, but we are working tirelessly to fix the system.”
One of the key reforms is the mandatory requirement for Nigerians to upload their breeder documents. Previously, the government spent approximately N600 million annually on scanning and uploading these documents. The new policy aims to automate the process fully, saving costs and reducing human errors.
“We must make the entire process more efficient. It’s not just about passports; it’s about creating a system that works,” the minister explained.
The introduction of contactless passport renewal services is a major part of the plan. Already in use in countries like Canada, this new service will be rolled out in phases to ensure the system can handle the increased demand without causing disruptions.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the government had planned a gradual rollout of the service. He noted that the process would begin in January with a focus on the UK, the US, Italy, and France. “By January, by the grace of God, we plan to extend this to four or five other countries,” he said.
The pilot phase for this service has already begun in Nigeria, with contactless renewal already available in Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, and Kano. According to the minister, once these locations are running smoothly, the service will be expanded to other parts of the country.
“We are just trying to be project management smart,” Tunji-Ojo explained. “You don’t launch a project of that magnitude all over at once. We must take it step by step to ensure that it works seamlessly.”
The Interior Minister also responded to critics who had questioned the feasibility of the program, comparing it to previous government efforts that had fallen short. Tunji-Ojo was adamant that this initiative was different, emphasizing that it was not about competing with other countries but about improving the well-being of Nigerians.
“This particular government is not in competition with anybody. What’s most important is the well-being of Nigerians,” he stated firmly.
In addition to the contactless service, the government is also working on a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s passport issuance system. The new system aims to ensure that Nigerian passports are secure and can be easily verified.
Tunji-Ojo also addressed the ongoing debate about the certificate of origin requirement for passport applications. He explained that this measure was necessary to maintain the integrity of Nigerian passports.
“We must understand that a passport is not just a travel document. It is a security document,” he said. “The embarrassment that we face as a country when people who are not Nigerians carry Nigerian passports is unimaginable.”
He further pointed out that many of the crimes attributed to Nigerians abroad were actually committed by people who were not Nigerian citizens, but were carrying fraudulent Nigerian passports.
“The crimes that they say Nigerians are committing abroad, I say this clearly, a lot of them are not Nigerians. They are carrying Nigerian passports,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
Another critical aspect of the passport reforms is the establishment of a comprehensive database. Minister Tunji-Ojo explained that the current administration had inherited no significant data regarding passport issuance, forcing the government to start from scratch in building a robust database for the country’s passport system.
He assured Nigerians that the new system would only require individuals to upload their breeder documents once in their lifetime, making future passport renewals faster and easier.
“These steps are essential to sanitizing and modernizing the passport issuance system,” Tunji-Ojo explained.
The minister concluded by stressing the importance of embracing technology to improve the efficiency and security of Nigeria’s passport services. He noted that by leveraging modern digital tools, the government could ensure that passports are issued quickly, securely, and in a way that meets international standards.
As Nigeria prepares for the full implementation of the contactless passport renewal system in the coming months, many Nigerians are hopeful that the initiative will bring long-awaited relief to those struggling with passport delays and inefficiencies.
Tunji-Ojo’s announcement has sparked a wave of optimism among citizens who are eager to see a more efficient and secure passport system in place. However, with the challenges of overhauling such a large and complex system, it remains to be seen whether the government can deliver on its promises.
