FG to Deliver Passports to Citizens’ Doorsteps Beginning 2023

By Iyojo Ameh

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to introduce a doorstep passport delivery service starting in 2023. The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the inaugural ceremony of the 2023 University of Lagos International Week held in Lagos on Monday.

The automation of the passport application process has already commenced, and Nigerians can expect a more efficient and streamlined experience.

Minister Tunji-Ojo explained, “We have commenced the automation of our end-to-end passport application process, and we have given a timeline from which Nigerians will begin to experience the ‘sweet experience’.”

One of the primary advantages of this automation is a substantial reduction in the waiting period for passport issuance.

The minister added, “By implication, Nigerians will not need to wait longer than two weeks before they get their passport.” Furthermore, by January of the upcoming year, Nigerians will have the option to complete their passport application process online.

In February, the government plans to collaborate with various stakeholders to enable the delivery of passports to the applicants’ chosen locations, which can include homes, offices, and more.

The automation initiative is set to extend to the visa application process, accompanied by an expansion of visa application centers worldwide. Minister Tunji-Ojo emphasized, “We are deploying technology throughout the entire process to make it as seamless as possible.”

In addition to these improvements, the government aims to strengthen its visa-on-arrival policy and ensure the harmonization of data across various identification systems, including the Bank Verification Number (BVN), National Identification Number (NIN), and SIM card registration. The minister highlighted the significance of data integrity in travel documents, stating, “The integrity of our travel documents must be restored through the harmonization of our data.”