Nigerians will soon have the convenience of receiving their passports at their doorsteps as the Nigerian Immigration Service is set to introduce home delivery services starting in June.
This significant development was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during his inspection of the electronic gates at the new terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Friday.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the home delivery service would initially roll out in key locations such as Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Abuja to ensure efficient service without overwhelming the system.
For Nigerians residing abroad, the home delivery service will first launch in the United States and the United Kingdom, with thorough testing to guarantee its effectiveness.
The minister attributed the delay in implementing home delivery to the absence of adequate data centers, highlighting the importance of safeguarding national security and data integrity.
He explained the necessity of establishing a permanent solution rather than temporary fixes, emphasizing the need for the Nigerian Immigration Service to have full control over the biometric data of the country.
Tunji-Ojo revealed that a dedicated data centre has been constructed to address the passport delivery issue and ensure national security. He assured that the new system is on par with global standards, with enhanced technology features and tracking solutions integrated into the application to minimize potential failures.
Furthermore, the minister announced the completion of the final presentation for the electronic visa, which will streamline visa processing time from 72 hours to 48 hours. The automation process for passports is nearing completion, promising increased efficiency and convenience for applicants.
