Addressing bottlenecks in Nigeria's passport acquisition

Nigeria's Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has issued a directive to the Nigeria Immigration Service to clear the backlog of over 200,000 passport applications within two weeks, emphasizing that this situation is a national emergency. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, the minister highlighted the government's plans to deploy technology to enhance border security across the country. Minister Tunji-Ojo expressed confidence in the ongoing reforms within the ministry and assured Nigerians of visible improvements in service delivery. The minister disclosed that a total of 204,000 passport backlogs were recorded as of the previous day, emphasizing the urgent need for swift action to address the issue. The minister acknowledged that the challenges faced by the Immigration Service were multifaceted, ranging from funding constraints to operational inefficiencies and capacity limitations. However, he emphasized that identifying and resolving these bottlenecks was a top priority, underscoring the government's commitment to fulfilling its mandate and delivering on promises made to the Nigerian people. He reiterated the administration's focus on taking concrete steps to improve service delivery and ensure national security. In addition to addressing the passport backlog, Minister Tunji-Ojo outlined key reforms across various agencies under the Ministry of Interior. He highlighted plans to enhance border security through the adoption of technology, particularly focusing on securing the country's land borders. The minister disclosed ongoing collaboration with technology partners like Huawei to strengthen border surveillance and control measures, with a roadmap for future initiatives expected to be unveiled soon. Furthermore, the minister discussed reforms within the correctional services sector, emphasizing the need to transition from punitive measures to rehabilitation and reintegration programs for inmates. He noted the high percentage of inmates awaiting trial and stressed the importance of collaboration with stakeholders such as the Ministry of Justice, Legal Aid Council, and civil society organizations to address prison congestion and streamline judicial processes. The integration of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) under the Ministry of Interior was highlighted as a significant step towards harmonizing identity data and improving data management systems in Nigeria. While the minister refrained from providing a specific timeline for achieving a single point of contact for identity management, he underscored the government's commitment to delivering tangible results rather than setting unrealistic deadlines. Regarding the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Minister Tunji-Ojo emphasized the agency's crucial role in safeguarding national assets and critical infrastructure. He underscored the importance of conducting a comprehensive gap analysis to identify areas for improvement in terms of skills, infrastructure, and equipment. The minister assured that a series of reforms were underway to enhance the effectiveness of the NSCDC in protecting vital national resources and supporting law enforcement efforts in collaboration with the Nigerian police. The interview concluded with the minister reiterating the government's dedication to fulfilling its mandate, enhancing national security, and delivering on promises to the Nigerian people. Minister Tunji-Ojo's commitment to decisive action and transformative reforms within the Ministry of Interior reflects a proactive approach towards addressing challenges and advancing the country's security infrastructure.