FG Unveils New Passport Office, Records 3.5m Issuance and ₦20bn Debt Clearance in 2 Years, Tunji-Ojo
- Saves ₦1 billion annually
- Cleared 200,000 passport backlog
- Introduced digital, contactless passport system
Blessing Ele Writes
The Federal Government has issued over 3.5 million passports within two years and cleared ₦20 billion debt, in what the Interior Ministry describes as a landmark reform under the Renewed Hope administration.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this during the commissioning of the Ministry of Interior’s Passport Front Office in Abuja on Tuesday. He noted that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has recorded significant progress in addressing passport demand both at home and abroad.
“From August 2023 to date, locally, we have issued 3,080,141 passports, and in the diaspora, we have processed 466,117, bringing the total to over 3.5 million passports within this period,” the Minister said.
He further stated that the administration inherited a backlog of more than 200,000 unprocessed passport applications, which were cleared within three weeks of assuming office. He also revealed that the government settled outstanding passport-related debts amounting to N20 billion.
“When we assumed office, we met debts running into billions of naira in the passport value chain. By the grace of God, the Renewed Hope administration has cleared these debts,” he said.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo said the administration has eliminated delays and scarcity in passport issuance through various reforms and the introduction of advanced technologies. The Minister affirmed that Nigerians no longer need to endure long queues or leave their workplaces to process travel documents.
He cited the introduction of digital solutions such as the contactless passport and online payment systems for services like the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Alien Card (CERPAC), which he said have improved transparency and convenience.
“The era where people had to close their places of work just to queue for passport services or use a particular bank for payments is over. You can now process your CERPAC forms from the comfort of your office or home and receive your permit without stress,” the Minister noted.
According to him, the enhanced passport infrastructure has also raised the international standing of Nigeria’s travel documents, as the country now operates on the international Public Key Directory (PKD) and utilizes Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for improved document integrity.
The newly commissioned Passport Front Office, the 14th in the country, is tailored to provide expedited services for senior public officials and other designated individuals. The Minister said its establishment addressed a long-standing gap, as the Ministry of Interior previously lacked an internal passport processing facility which he described as an anomaly “unheard of globally.”
“This facility sets a new standard for passport services and ensures that senior public servants can access passport services without leaving their official duties,” Dr. Tunji-Ojo explained.
He praised Iris Smart Technologies, a private partner, for donating all the equipment and technology for the new passport office at no cost to the government.
“What you see here today, equipment, workstation machines, was provided freely by Iris Smart Technologies. They delivered the latest, world-class technology, and they did it entirely at zero cost,” he said.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, described the new centre as a “high-priority facility” designed to guarantee dignified and efficient passport processing for key government officials.
“This is a significant milestone. This new office provides a dedicated channel for officials whose mobility is crucial for national service,” she said.
Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utsev, and heads of paramilitary services under the Ministry of Interior attended the commissioning, alongside representatives from the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment.
The Renewed Hope administration began in May 2023, while Dr. Tunji-Ojo assumed office in August 2023. The reported figures span from that time to date, less than two years as of July 2025. The debt settlement amount of N20 billion, also referenced by the Minister, aligns with his earlier public statements regarding passport-related debts.
The NIS has consistently reported improved service delivery since late 2023, corroborated by multiple independent accounts from applicants, particularly regarding the clearing of backlogs and reduction in waiting times.
The latest reforms in Nigeria’s passport administration reflect the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to streamline public service processes under the Renewed Hope agenda. While challenges persist in some areas, the Ministry’s interventions have drawn commendation for enhancing accessibility, efficiency, and transparency in passport issuance.
Nigerians seeking passports are encouraged to explore the updated digital services now available across the country and in the diaspora and use the Nis response platforms to record all complaint.
Nis response platform
