The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has instructed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to urgently deploy new passport printers to the Nigerian Consulates in Atlanta and New York, USA.
This decision follows a petition from a group of Nigerians in the diaspora, highlighting the difficulties faced by citizens requiring consular services in these cities.
Acknowledging the petition through a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, the minister confirmed the directive for immediate deployment.
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The statement read: “The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has acknowledged receipt of a petition requesting passport printers for the Nigerian Consulates in Atlanta and New York. In response, he has approved and directed the immediate deployment of new printers to these locations. These printers are ready for installation as a short-term measure to address the current challenges.”
The minister also unveiled a long-term plan to improve the passport issuance process.
This includes the activation of a Passport Personalisation Centre in Abuja, scheduled to commence operations within weeks, and the expansion of the contactless passport solution to more countries.
“Innovations such as the end-to-end automation of the passport application process and the introduction of a contactless system, which has already launched in Canada, are part of this ongoing transformation,” the statement added.
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Tunji-Ojo reassured Nigerians that the government under President Bola Tinubu is committed to delivering a streamlined passport regime that prioritises convenience, innovation, and national security as part of the Renewed Hope agenda.
