The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced on Tuesday that Nigeria’s passport application automation stands at 99 percent completion. During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ojo highlighted that the automated system is set to go live within a week. Once operational, Nigerians will only need to visit immigration centers for fingerprint biometrics for their passports.
Under the new system, citizens will have the convenience of uploading their passport photos and necessary documents from their homes. Ojo mentioned, “We aimed for December 2023, and we’re at 99 percent completion. After successful testing, the system should launch in the coming week.”
He emphasized, “The immigration center’s role will primarily involve fingerprint biometrics. Everything before that, from document submissions to photo uploads, can be comfortably handled at home.”
Regarding the delay in the system’s launch, Ojo explained, “Although the system could have gone live about two weeks ago, I identified some errors during the presentation, prioritizing the balance between national security and convenience.”
Additionally, the minister shared plans for installing e-gate systems at Nigeria’s international airports by February 2024. “By February, all our international airports will boast e-gates. Nigerian travelers won’t need to engage with immigration officers unless they raise security concerns.”