Immigration Clears 60,000 Passport Backlogs In Four Working Days _ Interior Minister

By Oche Alechenu __

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has cleared a backlog of almost 60,000 passport within four working days says the Honourable Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Olubunmi stated this on Tuesday when he received the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Betta Edu on a courtesy visit in Abuja.

He addresses his co-minister through his spokesman Alao Babatunde and quoted his principal saying; When they came on board, the passport crisis was an embarrassment... "it cannot continue!".

“As of this morning, I can tell you that about 60,000 passport backlogs have been cleared, especially 59,906. On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, when I gave the 2-week ultimatum, we had over 200,000 backlogs. We have recorded progress, and I maintain my word that those backlogs must be cleared.”

The Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Minister exchanged pleasantry and stated that the visit was due to the need to extend its hand of partnership with the Interior Ministry as it seeks to tackle human trafficking and other related challenges including poor veteran's welfare, underemployment, and poverty among Nigerian.

Edu noted that, the ministry was in the best position to tackle issues of human trafficking as it plays an overseeing position in the NIS as she is assured of mutual cooperation from the Interior Ministry.

“His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed us to see the place of partnership as agents of his #RenewedHope Agenda, and we are here to deliver on this mandate,” he assured.