The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement while featuring on a Channels Television programme, Politics Today, on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. He addressed the concerns of Nigerians in the diaspora over difficulties renewing their passports at foreign missions.
Tunji-Ojo acknowledged the challenges faced by Nigerians in the UK, particularly in London and New York, due to the concentration of Nigerians in these cities. He emphasized that the opening of passport front offices in key cities by February 2024 would significantly reduce the stress and waiting period for Nigerians seeking to renew their passports.
He explained that the problem existed “because we have only one passport office in the entire United Kingdom,” adding that Nigerians living in far-flung cities such as Edinburg (Scotland), Cardiff, and Belfast (North Ireland) as well as Manchester or Birmingham had no choice but to travel to London for their new passports.
The establishment of multiple passport offices will streamline the passport application and collection process, reducing the demand and, consequently, the corruption associated with obtaining passports illegally.
The Minister also noted that the Ministry of Interior is working with several agencies abroad to ensure that additional passport offices are opened around the world, facilitating a seamless passport collection process for Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
This initiative underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to improving consular services for Nigerians abroad and ensuring that they have access to efficient and timely passport renewal services.
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Additional Information
- For more information on the opening of passport front offices in the UK, please contact the Nigerian High Commission in London.
- To stay updated on the latest developments in Nigerian passport services, please visit the Nigeria Immigration Service website.