Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has disclosed that the International Passport will henceforth be processed and collected within two weeks of registration.
The NIS Comptroller General, Caroline Adepoju, represented by DCG Saadatu Hassan, made the information known during the commissioning of the NIS Passport Front Office in Offa at the weekend.
“We are now in the era of getting passport within two weeks, unlike in the past when people waited for weeks before they could get their passport.
“This development started since the appointment of the present Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Ojo, whom the Almighty has used to perform the good work, for the benefit of Nigerians,” Adepoju said.
The Comptroller General, who said that the passport with 32 pages and which is to expire after five years, is meant for minors while the one for 64 pages, and valid for 10 years, is specifically for adults.
She advised applicants to report any problem encountered during the period of registration, by informing them physically or through their available website and not complain on social media.
“We have people that receive complaints in the office, also report through our website, Facebook page and other official channels, but don’t drag our name on social media, just to gain attention,” she said.
Adepoju also advised applicants to ensure that all their National Identity Number (NIN) information tallies with information on International Passport, saying it should be arranged accordingly.
“This is one of the major things that caused delays in collection of passports and make many people complain of the time taken to process passport,” she explained.
The NIS boss thanked the Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Badamasi Esuwoye II, for his kind gesture in donating the NIS Passport Office and providing all necessary things for the structure.
“Offa is one of the few states in Nigeria that has two passport offices and I am happy for them as it will spring up lots of opportunities and help to increase economic activities in Offa Town,” she said.
State Comptroller of Immigration, Compt. Aminu Shamsuddin thanked the Organization of Development Union (ODU) in Offa, most especially the Olofa of Offa for his kind gesture, human friendliness and determination.
Shamsuddin said that Olofa had always wanted to ease the stress of his subjects and so, immediately he suggested NIS Passport Front office to him, he was ready to sponsor it.
He also thanked Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for the good work of his administration, most especially the Minister and CG for the approval and assistance rendered towards making it successful.
Earlier, Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Badamasi Esuwoye II said that delay in passport collection and lots of complaints from his subjects and other people prompted him to sponsor the establishment of a passport office in Offa.
He further said that with the assistance of the hardworking Minister of Interior and NIS CG, the project became a reality and a dream came through.
“Many people complained that it takes months to collect passport abroad, but things have changed for good, as those in diaspora now get their passport within a month.
“While those in Nigeria now have the opportunity to get their passport within two weeks,” he said.
Olofa, who said that demand for passport had increased, added that the effort of the Minister and CG to open up more Passport Front offices was commendable.
He further said that the presence of Passport Front office in Offa would save his subjects from travelling to other states to get passports done as well as increase productivity.
The first class traditional ruler urged all Nigerians to maximize the opportunity and get their passport, saying that the new NIS office belongs to the whole nation and not only for Offa people.