Nigeria enhances e-passport processing, activates new production centre, office in Ilesa

*Ogbeni Aregbesola, Minister for Interior, says the launch of new enhanced e-Passport production and front office facilities will make it easier for more travellers to access the Nigerian passports, applauding the Nigeria Immigration Service for professionalism and commitment to qualitative service delivery

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Government, in a significant boost to make the enhanced electronic passport application, processing and production more seamless for Nigerians, has commissioned a new Passport Production Centre and new Passport Front Office respectively, in Ilesa, Osun State.

ConsumerConnect reports Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Honourable Minister for Interior, while activating projects at an event witnessed by important dignitaries, stated that the launch of the new enhanced e-Passport, and the production and front office facilities would make it easier for more travellers to access the Nigerian passport.

The Minister noted following the commissioning of the facilities, Ilesa has joined the list of other places, including Lagos, Ibadan, Enugu, Katsina, Zaria, Daura, and the Nigerian missions overseas countries, such as the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and  Canada, among others where the enhanced e-Passport system.

Aregbesola, in the occasion, applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the needed leadership for all the achievements recorded by the Ministry of Interior.

According to him, these include the reforms of passport administration in Nigeria.

The Minister also commended the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), under the leadership of Mr. Isah Jere Idris, Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI), for professionalism and commitment and dedication to the implementation of the numerous reforms of the passport administration in the country.

Aregbesola further stated: “The Nigeria Immigration Service has continued to make very remarkable contributions for the overall service delivery and accomplishments of the mandate of the Ministry of Interior, which I have supervised in the last four years.

“The climax of these contributions by the NIS is the widely acclaimed reforms in the passport administration both at home and in the Diaspora.”

He as well thanked other stakeholders and service providers, and the host community for their cooperation in making the Ilesa facilities possible, even as he urged the people to make the best use of the facilities.

Significance of enhanced e-Passport, by CGI

Speaking at the event, CGI Idris said that the enhanced e-Passport was significant to the NIS drive for robust service delivery to Nigerians and the travelling public.

He stated: “The NIS is more than committed to producing results that meet the needs of our present day society while making the best use of resources at its disposal. “The enhanced e-Passport is significant to our drive for robust service delivery to our citizens.”

Idris also noted “we are aware of the challenges being experienced by some of our compatriots in accessing passport services in recent times. “But with the various efforts being emplaced, such as the unveiling of the enhanced e-Passport here in Ilesa, these challenges will soon give way for the emergence of a more seamless passport application and processing.

The CGI assured that “efforts are ongoing to ensure more front offices are opened in other states to reduce the traffic.”

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