The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), according to Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has cleared a backlog of nearly 60,000 passports in just four working days.
During a courtesy call with Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Betta Edu on Tuesday in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo made the following statement: “When we came on board, the passport situation was an embarrassment. And we proclaimed, “It cannot go on!”
“As of this morning, I can tell you that about 60,000 passport backlogs have been cleared, especially 59,906. On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, when I gave the 2-week ultimatum, we had over 200,000 backlogs. We have recorded progress, and I maintain my word that those backlogs must be cleared.”
According to the interior minister, the visit was necessary to extend the ministry’s hand of partnership as it works to combat human trafficking and other connected issues like inadequate veteran welfare, underemployment, and citizen poverty.
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She claimed that because the ministry oversees the NIS, it is in the greatest position to address the problem of human trafficking.
“His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed us to see the place of partnership as agents of his #RenewedHope Agenda, and we are here to deliver on this mandate,” he added.
“We assure you of our support. Your initiative is progressive and commendable, especially at this crucial time in the history of our country. There is a lot of work to be done, and we cannot work in silos as the President has directed.”
