The Federal Government has officially declared the N5,000 “Compliance Fee” imposed by certain personnel at Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Passport Offices as illegal. Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, made this declaration while addressing questions from Vanguard.
Tunji-Ojo expressed his surprise at the existence of such a fee, emphasizing that it is unauthorized and urged Nigerians not to pay for it. He stressed the importance of educating the public about this issue to prevent further exploitation.
The minister also highlighted the challenges faced by Nigerians in obtaining passports, referring to the long queues at immigration passport offices. He compared the situation to people queuing for passports to enter heaven. To address this, he emphasized the need to reduce waiting times for passport issuance.
Tunji-Ojo further revealed that his own daughter had to wait for six months to receive her passport, raising concerns about the average Nigerian’s experience. His predecessor, Rauf Aregbesola, had implemented timelines for passport processing, but there were still over 204,000 unprocessed applications as of September 2023.
The surge in passport applications, often referred to as the “Japa Syndrome,” was attributed to young Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad, according to Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Caroline Wuraola-Adepoju.
The minister suggested the possibility of introducing a fast-track service for those in urgent need of passports but emphasized that security vetting and equitable service would remain a priority.
Tunji-Ojo also introduced the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) to improve border control and decision-making before individuals arrive in Nigeria.
To decongest immigration offices, he is working on a courier service for home delivery of passports. Additionally, the ministry plans to establish more Passport Front Offices to provide easier access to passport services, eliminating the need for Nigerians to travel long distances to state capitals or larger towns.
The minister also mentioned the development of a passport tracking system via mobile phones to keep applicants informed of their application status, along with contact information for addressing complaints effectively.
