In a prompt response to the concerns of Nigerians in the Diaspora, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has reactivated malfunctioning equipment at the passport offices in Atlanta and New York.
Tunji-Ojo stated that the decision came after receiving petitions from Nigerians abroad, urging the government to address the issues with the broken-down equipment at the consulates in both cities.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Alao Babatunde, the minister directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to swiftly deploy new printers to the passport offices in both cities.
“These printers are prepared for installation, and this short-term solution aims to address the current challenge promptly, the statement added.
The statement further reads:” The Minister hinted that a new solution is being implemented as a long-term plan that will usher in a streamlined passport regime, enabling Nigerians to apply for their passports more easily.
“Part of this plan includes activating the Passport Personalisation Centre (PPC) in Abuja, which is scheduled to start in the next few weeks while opening up more countries for the already-deployed contactless solution.
“The Ministry of Interior under the Minister is working round the clock, and none of the agencies is left behind. At the Nigeria Immigration Service, for instance, there has been an end-to-end automation of the passport application process and the contactless application process, which has since been launched in Canada.
“The minister assures that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians experience #RenewedHope laced with innovation and convenience while still enhancing national security.”
