Minister of interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has explained the motive behind the introduction of fresh conditions for obtaining or renewing the nation’s international passports, saying the move is aimed at protecting the nation’s vital document from non-citizens.
Tunji-Ojo, in a statement by his media aide, Babatunde Alao, said the decision was taken based on the realisation that non-citizens were majorly in possession of the Nigerian Passport, thereby underscoring the document’s significance as a security document exclusive to Nigerian citizens.
The minister who also addressed reports of foreigners exploiting inefficiencies in the previous system, asserted that the new conditions would impede non-Nigerians from acquiring the passport.
While acknowledging challenges faced by passport applicants, he assured that the coming weeks would witness an enhancement of the process.
The minister acknowledged challenges faced by passport applicants and promised that the coming weeks would witness an enhancement of the process.
According to the minister, the new conditions, including the provision of a citizenship certificate, date of birth certificate and the National Identification Number (NIN), have become critical in verifying applicant’s true citizenship.
Tunji-Ojo emphasised that the reform aimed to simplify the passport acquisition process for Nigerians through facilitating speedy online application, production, and passport collection.
The minister who further debunked misconceptions about the newly instituted conditions said , contrary to the claim, the new system’s effectiveness was evident, with a mere four per cent hiccup rate, a notable improvement for a recently introduced system.
He said, “We have to introduce this new system in order to stop those non-Nigerians carrying Nigerian passports.”