The Federal Government, in response to the challenges faced by Nigerians in the diaspora, is set to establish passport front offices in major cities across the United Kingdom, including Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff (Wales), and Scotland by February 2024. Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, addressed concerns about the slow passport renewal and collection process during an interview on the Politics Today program on InfoStride News, on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
Expressing empathy for Nigerians abroad, Tunji-Ojo acknowledged the particular challenges faced in the UK and the US, with London and New York being the focal points. In the UK, where the concentration of Nigerians has led to significant delays, the minister outlined the solution: establishing passport front offices in key cities.
The minister emphasized that the lack of a quick fix necessitated a strategic approach. He assured Nigerians that by February 2024, front offices would be operational in Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, and Scotland. The objective is to alleviate the stress on Nigerians, reduce waiting periods, and enhance overall efficiency in the passport procurement system.
Tunji-Ojo attributed the existing challenges to the presence of only one passport office in the entire United Kingdom. This centralized location meant that Nigerians residing in distant cities such as Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, Manchester, or Birmingham had no option but to travel to London for passport services. Recognizing the importance of assessing the immigration office’s capacity and the volume of passport requests, the minister noted the substantial Nigerian population in the UK.
In a broader context, Tunji-Ojo highlighted previous indications of the Ministry of Interior’s commitment to establishing multiple passport offices both domestically and internationally. The goal is to streamline the passport collection process for Nigerians, whether at home or abroad. The creation of additional offices is expected to facilitate a smoother request and collection process, reducing passport demand and, consequently, minimizing opportunities for corruption in passport procurement.
This proactive approach aligns with the government’s dedication to addressing the concerns of Nigerians in the diaspora, ensuring accessibility to essential services, and enhancing the overall efficiency of the passport issuance system. As the government takes steps to decentralize passport services in the UK, Nigerians can anticipate a more convenient and expedited process for passport renewal and collection in the near future.
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