THE Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) said applicants for international passports would get it three weeks after being captured.
The NIS assured that barring unanticipated technical problems, Nigerians would receive their passports three weeks after the application.
This was disclosed by the newly confirmed Comptroller General of the NIS, Caroline Wuraola Adepoju, on Friday, December 1, during an interview with reporters at the Igbogbo Passport Front Office’s opening in the Ikorodu, Lagos State.
“I can tell you, barring all technical problems, you should be able to completely apply for your passport and within three weeks, you should be able to get it.
“So, if there are no issues, within three weeks, you must get your passport, from application to the production of the passport,” Adepoju stated.
According to her, since national identity numbers are connected to passports, all applicants must register using the same information as the National Identity Management Commission.
She noted that applicants for passports must provide information similar to that found on their national identity numbers.
Adepoju stated that her first task following her appointment as the NIS’s substantive comptroller general earlier on Friday was the opening of the Igbogbo office.
She advised Nigerians whose passports were about to expire to apply for renewal six months in advance.
She urged them to always apply early for passport renewals, as several nations refused visas to applicants whose passports had less than six months left on them.
Adepoju informed the community’s leaders and citizens that Deputy Comptroller Muyiwa Odunubi, the passport control officer, and his team will provide exceptional service while thanking them for their help in making the passport office’s location a success.
She pleaded for more assistance so things could run smoothly in the office.
Speaking earlier, Ibrahim Layode, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, on behalf of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, praised the Federal Government’s dedication to delivering top-notch services that meet international standards and the passport office’s location in Igbogbo.
He claims that 200 applications can be accommodated at the Igbogbo passport office.
Adepoju was confirmed as substantive comptroller general of immigration on Wednesday, November 29.
President Bola Tinubu confirmed the appointment of Adepoju as the substantive Comptroller General (CG) of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) on Wednesday, November 29.
Adepoju disclosed while addressing men and officers of the service at a routine parade on Wednesday.
Following the expiration of Isah Jere’s term as CG on May 29, 2023, Adepoju, the most senior deputy comptroller-general (DCG), was named acting CG to oversee the NIS.
Before now, Nigerians used to wait longer for their passports after application.
But in October 2023, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, informed Nigerians that the era of waiting for months to get their passports was over.
The ICIR has earlier reported how difficult passport application and access have been, with officials neck-deep in passport racketeering.
A reporter with the ICIR
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