Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made an unscheduled inspection of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) passport office in Gwagwalada, Abuja, on Tuesday, sharply criticising staff over persistent delays and inefficiencies in serving applicants. The surprise visit highlighted serious concerns about the slow pace of passport processing despite the centre’s mandate to accelerate issuance.
During the visit, Tunji-Ojo questioned immigration officials about why only a handful of people had been attended to hours after operations were expected to start. He observed that key sections, including the VIP and Children’s desk intended for quicker service, remained under-utilised while applicants continued to wait for prolonged periods.
The minister urged officers to optimise workflows, suggesting that enrolment and biometric capturing should occur simultaneously rather than sequentially in order to reduce waiting times. He stressed that citizens have commitments and should not be made to spend unnecessary hours at government offices.
Tunji-Ojo also warned sternly against unofficial payments, telling officials that Nigerians had already paid the required fees online and should not be burdened with extra costs for items like diesel or stationery. “Serve them diligently,” he insisted, emphasizing that public service should prioritise citizens’ convenience and fairness.
The interior minister’s visit underscores the federal government’s push for improved efficiency and accountability within the Immigration Service, as part of broader efforts to reform passport issuance and public service delivery.
