The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has managed to clear a backlog of 60,000 passport applications within four days.
The minister made the announcement on Tuesday, during a courtesy visit from Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, in Abuja. There are still over 200,000 pending passport applications, but the minister has directed the NIS to clear all of them within two weeks.
Tunji-Ojo has promised to resolve the passport crisis in the country. A statement from his special adviser on media and publicity, Alao Babatunde, confirmed the minister’s commitment to tackling the issue.
“When we came on board, the passport crisis was an embarrassment to the country and we said there is no way it can continue,” he said.
“As at this morning, I can tell you that about 60,000 passport backlogs have been cleared, specifically, 59,906.
“On Sept. 6, when I gave the 2-week ultimatum, we had over 200,000 backlogs. However, we have recorded tremendous progress, and I still maintain my words, those backlogs must be cleared.”
On her part, Edu said her visit was informed by the need for the two ministries to collaborate in reducing human trafficking.
She added that the collaboration would also include other related challenges such as the poor welfare of veterans, underemployment and poverty reduction.
Edu said the interior ministry is in the best position to solve issues of human trafficking as it plays a supervisory role in the service.
Responding to her, Tunji-Ojo said the interior ministry welcomes such initiative as it is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”.
He commended Edu for the concept and assured her of his support.
“There is a lot of work to be done and we cannot work in silos as the President has directed,” Tunji-Ojo said.
“We are not just working on humanitarian endeavours such as human trafficking, NIS must help us change the story completely.
“We may only have to expand it to include the welfare of inmates in our correctional centres as they are Nigerians as well.
“Let’s see how they can benefit from your welfare packages. Of course, there is a lot we can achieve together.”
