*The Federal Government says it has activated a passport tracking system that allows applicants to monitor and know the status of their applications online in line with the Nigeria Digital Economy

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

As part of the digital transformation agenda of the current administration in the country, the Federal Government announces it has activated a passport tracking system that allows applicants to monitor and know the status of their applications online.

ConsumerConnect reports Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Honourable Minister for Interior, disclosed this development Tuesday, May 24, 24, 2022, at the passing out parade of the 47th Basic Superintendent Course, 2021/2022 at the Nigerian Immigration Service Training School, in Kano, Kano State, Northern Nigeria.

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Honourable Minister for Interior

The Minister said: “One of the challenges of the NIS in recent past is in the issuance of the Nigerian passport.

“I am, however, happy that we have overcome this and have now put in place a seamless passport administration system.

“We have also activated a tracking system that allows applicants to monitor and know the status of their application online.”

Represented on the occasion by Emmanuel Bassey, Commissioner, Civil Defence, Customs, Fire Service and Immigration Board, Ogbeni Aregbesola stated before the end of this year, the Service would have a fully digital application system that would remove any stress in the process.

He also said: “Let me reiterate my appeal to Nigerians to follow laid-down regulations on passport application by going through the NIS online portal.

“Those who go through touts and unscrupulous NIS officials are undermining our effort to eliminate corruption and institute a stress-free application system.

“It is, therefore, your patriotic duty to go through the official channel and avoid any practice that subverts the due process.”

According to the Minister, their engagement into the NIS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening internal security of which our borders were an integral part.

Without secure borders, he further noted that no security measure could work, external criminally-minded persons could infiltrate the country and escape at will, if the borders are not well-secured.

Aregbesola also said that diseases spread also from one country to the other through cross border movements, as he urged the personnel to put the training and indoctrination to use in manning the Nigerian borders.

He stated: “You need to know what the organisation you have joined, the NIS, is all about. As you have been taught, your main mission is to man the nation’s borders.”

The Minister commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his support to the Minister of Interior, and by extension the Nigeria Immigration Service.

He as well applauded Idris Dere, Acting Controller-General of the NIS, for his professionalism, diligence, patriotism, and the sterling way he had handled the affairs of the Service since his assumption of duty.

Jere, earlier in his address at the event, had advised the officers to always be guided by the rules governing the operations of the Service premised on honesty and professionalism.

The Acting Comptroller-General also lauded Aregbesola, Minister of Interior, and the Federal Government for the continuous support accorded the Service in its operations and manpower development activities.

Comptroller Ado Rano, Commandant of the School, said disclosed that 548 cadets were taken through modern Border Security and Migration Management training, including physical drills to make them fit for the tasks ahead.

Dere emphasised that members of the directing staff of the school demonstrated uncommon commitment during the course and thanked the CGI for the opportunity.

Several heads of security agencies, traditional rulers and members of the public graced the occasion in Kano.