Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) will begin home delivery of passports in key cities including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Abuja starting in June 2024.
Tunji-Ojo made this announcement during an inspection of the electronic gates at the new terminal of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. He emphasized that the initiative aims to enhance convenience for citizens and improve service delivery.
The minister explained that the delay in implementing this service was due to the lack of data centers, which are crucial for managing and processing the necessary information. He assured that steps are being taken to establish these centers to provide a sustainable solution rather than temporary fixes.
Furthermore, Tunji-Ojo revealed plans to extend the home delivery service to Nigerians living abroad, with initial trials set for the United States and the United Kingdom. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to improving services for its diaspora.
He also stressed the importance of securing Nigeria’s biometric data and national security. He expressed concern over the previous practice of third-party entities managing such critical data. The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the NIS has full control over the country’s data, emphasizing its role as the primary custodian of this vital information.