Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Tuesday caught officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) passport office in Gwagwalada, Abuja, unawares during an inspection, condemning delays in passport processing and warning against the collection of unauthorised charges.
The minister toured the VIP and Children section of the facility, where he engaged immigration officers and applicants, demanding explanations for why many applicants were still waiting hours after the office was expected to begin operations.
Tunji-Ojo cautioned applicants against paying money outside approved fees, stressing that Nigerians had already paid fully for passport services.
“I don’t want to hear stories about money for diesel or paper,” he said.
“Nigerians have paid completely for their passports. They deserve prompt service.”
He expressed displeasure that only a few applicants had been processed several hours after opening time, despite the section being designated for expedited services.
“By 9:30am, I should have seen people already done,” the minister said, noting that applicants were still waiting downstairs.
Questioning the slow pace of enrolment and biometric capturing, Tunji-Ojo said each applicant should be processed within minutes.
“How long does enrolment take? Three minutes,” he said. “Three times seven is just twenty-one minutes.”
Immigration officers admitted that although the office was scheduled to open by 8am, operations only commenced around 9am after the generator was switched on.
The minister criticised the practice of completing enrolment for all applicants before starting biometric capturing, insisting both processes should run simultaneously to cut waiting time.
“People are waiting here. Some still have to go to work,” he said. “Why must capturing wait until everyone is enrolled?”
Describing the situation as unacceptable, Tunji-Ojo said the delays undermined public service delivery.
“You are wasting people’s precious time. Time is money. This is unacceptable,” he said.
He also faulted the underutilisation of the VIP and Children section, noting that applicants from other sections could have been redirected to ease congestion.
“It costs nothing to use this place for them,” the minister said.
Reiterating the need for efficiency and fairness, Tunji-Ojo reminded officers of their duty to Nigerians.
“Nigeria has no VIP. This uniform is a uniform of sacrifice. You are here to serve the people,” he said.
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