Passport crisis: FG sends printers to the offices of the Nigerian embassy in Atlanta and New York
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has approved the immediate deployment of new printers in New York and Atlanta, a move aimed at reducing the current workload and improving service delivery to Nigerian citizens and "foreigners".
The move comes after several complaints by Nigerian citizens residing in the United States who have faced significant delays in processing their passports due to faulty or insufficient printing equipment, said a statement signed by Alao, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Interior on Media and Publicity. .
According to the statement, Minister Tunji-Ojo acknowledged the importance of a speedy resolution of the issue, citing the urgent need to restore the normal functioning of these key diplomatic missions.
According to the ministry, the new printers are ready for installation and will be operational soon. Beyond this immediate solution, the minister outlined a broader strategy for a more sustainable solution. This includes the activation of a new passport personalization center in Abuja, which is expected to begin operations in the coming weeks.
This center will play a crucial role in improving the efficiency of passport production across the country. The minister also hinted at the expansion of the already established contactless passport application system, which is currently available in Canada, to more countries around the world. This long-term initiative aims to streamline the passport application process, making it easier and faster for Nigerians to apply for and obtain their passports, both in the country and abroad. Tunji-Ojo also assured the public that the Ministry of Interior, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remains committed to the modernization and improvement of immigration services in the country. The ministry has already implemented end-to-end automation of passport applications, which is expected to reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies and improve user experience.
In addition, the contactless application system, initially launched in Canada, is now expected to be further expanded as part of the ongoing reform efforts.
Background: Diaspora protests delays
The Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN), together with partner organizations, have condemned the inefficiency plaguing Nigeria's passport services in the United States.
In a statement signed by the OAN President, Olutomi Aregbesola, the group expressed disappointment over the prolonged inaction of the Ministry of Interior on a petition filed over a year ago, which highlighted the urgent need for passport printers in New York and Atlanta. According to the OAN, the lack of functional printers has caused significant difficulties, leaving many Nigerians unable to renew their passports. This has disrupted travel plans for emergencies, work and family commitments. The statement revealed that although two printers are stationed at the Nigerian embassy in Washington, DC, one of them remains unused, a decision that was influenced by the former Minister of Interior's concerns about creating discontent in diplomatic missions. The OAN criticized the reasoning as illogical and indicative of poor strategic and informed decision-making. It insisted that the New York consulate, which serves the largest population of Nigerians in the United States, has been significantly neglected.
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