Because payments for Nigerian passports have been digitalized, the Nigerian government has cautioned Nigerians not to use touts or officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service to apply for their documents.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made the announcement during the launch of the Enhanced e-Passport with Polycarbonate Data Page and other security measures in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday.
"The relocation of passport applications and payments to digital platforms is one of the measures. However, we hate to report that applicants continue to rely on touts and dishonest authorities in the expectation of getting around the system and receiving faster services. They come to us to complain when they are dissatisfied.
Of course, we have a zero-tolerance policy for corruption and abuse of the legal system. As a result, we take every such report seriously and take the appropriate disciplinary action.
However, I shall pleading with applicants to refrain from patronising touts and our officials directly. Follow the steps we've established. Passports can be applied for and paid for online. The enrollment of your biometrics is the only interaction you will have with our employees.
"Patronizing touts and passport office officials doesn't always work out well," Aregbesola said. "Rather, it serves to defeat our goal of eliminating corruption and instilling integrity into the passport administration process."
The minister mentioned a new deadline for new passport applications and reissues when discussing the new application process.
"Our template allows for a maximum of six weeks to obtain new passports and three weeks to renew them. We stick to this timeline so that we can examine and verify any allegations made by applicants, ensuring that the final document we provide is accurate.
Wait if there are any difficulties. If you apply early enough, you will eventually receive your passport before your trip date. You'll still have plenty of time to apply for a visa and other necessary travel documents.
"Except in exceptional crises, passport administration is never done on a wait-and-see basis anywhere in the globe." The only thing that requires a wait is a passport photograph, according to the ministry.
The minister said that the new enhanced passport being rolled out in Ibadan is a better document with high-security features.
"The Enhanced e-Passport is a significant advancement over the Biometric Passport technology that Nigeria introduced in 2007 to combat forgery, impersonation, and other types of travel document fraud connected with the prior Machine-Readable Passport regime."
"It is the most advanced technology in the world for passport production, and only a few nations have it." It is the most secure form of identification ever created. Aregbesola said, "We are happy to make it available to Nigerians."
Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Comptroller-General Isah Jere, spoke at the occasion and restated the minister's plea for Nigerians to avoid patronising touts.
"As the Minister stated, we anticipate that the only time residents will interact with our officers would be during the biometric capture. "All you have to do is apply and pay," CG Isah Jere explained.
Also addressing, Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Segun Ogunbiyi, praised the efforts of the Nigeria Immigration Service, noting that the state will continue to support the service in doing its statutory job.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, was also there, as was the Olubadan of Ibadan, as well as service heads from all of the state's paramilitary services.