‘Automated Passports Portal Would Eliminate Corrupt Practices’

Ayodeji Ake

While Nigerians hailed the activation of the automated passports portal as promised, the federal government, through the office of the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, noted that the new process would eliminate corrupt practices.

While speaking on the successfully launch of the online passports portal, the minister said the process, which would involve uploading passport photos and supporting documents online, would also reduce human interfaces.

He ascribed credit of the project to the visionary leadership and support given by President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, “This project is a success today because of the vision, support and enabling environment created by the president. I make bold to say that credit of this project should be given to President Tinubu because nothing could have been achieved without his support, encouragement and visionary leadership.

“I am indeed grateful to the father of our nation for his trust and confidence in my ability. Notwithstanding the project’s success, we have only been inspired to do more and continually justify the confidence reposed in us by the president.”

He also added that it would speed up the entire process of obtaining a new passports by Nigerians in any part of the world.

“This initiative is sure to bring relief to all Nigerians that desire to obtain the passport. The portal has undoubtedly ended the long waiting period for passports issuance. It has also ended the cycle of daily wastage of man-hour by passports applicants.”

Tunji-Ojo confirmed that applicants can now go online-Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Portal-and apply for the documents, while personnel of the NIS have gone through intensive trainings for the flag off of the exercise.

The minister during the training of Immigration personnel for the exercise had hinted that the online passport application platform was established for both international and Nigerian applicants.

He explained that Nigerian applicants who want 32-page passports with five-year validity would pay N25,000, while those who want 64-page passports with a 10-year validity would pay N70,000.

“Foreign applicants, who wish to apply for passports with a five-year validity period and 32 pages, would pay $130, while those who prefer passports with a 10-year validity period and 64 pages would pay $230,” he added.