Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Tuesday paid an unannounced visit to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) passport office in Gwagwalada, Abuja, where he reprimanded officials over delays in passport processing and warned against the collection of illegal fees.
During the visit, Tunji-Ojo inspected activities at the VIP and Children section of the facility and interacted with both applicants and immigration officers. He questioned why many applicants were still waiting long after the office was expected to commence operations.
The minister also cautioned passport applicants against paying money outside approved charges, stressing that Nigerians had already paid fully for passport services.
“I don’t want to hear that you are collecting money for diesel or paper,” he said.
“Nigerians have paid for their passports completely. They must be served diligently.”
Tunji-Ojo expressed dissatisfaction that only a handful of applicants had been attended to several hours after opening time, despite the section being meant for fast-tracked services.
“By 9:30am, I expect to see people already processed,” he said, noting that applicants were still waiting downstairs when efficiency should be the priority.
He questioned the slow pace of enrolment and biometric capturing, stating that each applicant should be processed within minutes.
“How long does enrolment take? About three minutes,” the minister said. “Three times seven is twenty-one minutes.”
Immigration officers admitted that although the office was scheduled to open at 8am, operations began around 9am after the generator was powered.
“We are supposed to open by eight,” an official said, explaining that electricity was only restored after applicants arrived.
The minister criticised the practice of completing enrolment for all applicants before commencing biometric capturing, insisting that both processes should be conducted simultaneously to minimise waiting time.
“People are waiting. Some need to go to work and attend to other responsibilities,” Tunji-Ojo said. “Why must capturing wait until enrolment is completed for everyone?”
Describing the situation as unacceptable, he said the delays defeated the purpose of public service.
“You are wasting people’s precious time. Time is money, and this is unacceptable,” he added.
Tunji-Ojo also faulted the under-use of the VIP and Children section, noting that applicants in other sections could have been redirected to reduce congestion.
“It costs nothing to use this place for them,” he said.
Reiterating the need for fairness and efficiency, the minister reminded immigration officers of their responsibility to the public.
“Nigeria has no VIP. This uniform is a uniform of sacrifice. You are here to work for the people,” he said.