Immigration issues 230,500 passports, extends ban on fresh applications

The Nigeria Immigration Service has said that it has cleared a total number of 230,500 applications, and the passports produced. 

Out of the number, a total of 43,350 passports are yet to be collected, he added.

The spokesperson for the agency, Mr Amos Okpu, made this known in a statement in Abuja.

He also announced the extension of the commencement of the new passport regime earlier scheduled for June 1, by one week.

It would be recalled that the NIS had earlier announced the suspension of the receipt and processing of fresh passport applications nationwide until June 1.

The suspension was to allow for clearance of backlog of all passport applications received before May 17, as all backlogs were expected to be cleared by May 31.

Giving an update on the development, the NIS image maker said that the service had made a significant progress in clearing the backlog of passport applications.

“So far, a total number of 230,500 applications have been cleared and the passports produced. Out of the number, a total of 43,350 are yet to be collected.

“Passport Control Officers have been directed to continue to send out short message notifications for collection to all applicants,” Okpu hinted.

On the extension, he said it is to clear up all backlog of passport applications across issuing centres.

“A huge number of applicants are already turning up to collect their passports across issuing centres, and this is causing some form of congestion.”

Okpu added, “This situation will not allow the NIS to accommodate new applications, especially considering our desire to ensure that people who come to our offices comply with all the COVID-19 protocols.

“This period shall be used to attend to applicants for collection, clear all the remaining backlog as well as improve systems automation for the takeoff of the new passport regime, which will commence by June 8.”

Anozie Egole
Anozie Egole
Anozie Egole is a Transport correspondent. He reports Maritime, Aviation and Rail/Road Transport for Financial Street.

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