…Says system will usher new era of professionalism/efficiency
By Dele Ogbodo
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said the new Contactless Passport Renewal System has been launched in Europe following its successful deployment in Canada.
Recall the Minister’s swift intervention to salvage a recent ruckus in Atlanta, U.S over scarcity of passport wherein he ordered the immediate reactivation of a faulted equipment.
In what immigration watchers see as landmark achievement, the Minister in an excited mood, however, admitted that it is the prime duty of government to ensure that Nigerians have access to seamless services that match the highest professionalism standard and efficiency attained in any part of the globe especially using the newly introduced contactless passport renewal application and configuration.
He said: “Federal Government through the Ministry is pleased to announce a significant advancement in our national service delivery under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, launching the Contactless Passport Renewal System across Europe, after its successful implementation in Canada.
“Today marks yet another pivotal moment in our commitment to streamline and enhance the efficiency of government services for Nigerians both at home and abroad in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of this administration.
“As with the case in Canada, this innovative system is designed to eliminate the traditional hurdles associated with passport renewals.”
According to him, eligible Nigerians in Europe can renew their passports entirely online from the comfort of their homes and offices, explaining that this initiative not only reduces the inconvenience of travel and long waiting times but also brings the services of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) directly to their digital doorstep.
He said: “The introduction of this system in Europe further underscores our dedication to efficiency by allowing passport renewals to be conducted without physical presence. This helps us cut down processing times significantly.
“Accessibility through ensuring that Nigerians in the diaspora experience government services with ease, regardless of their location.
“Modernization, implying embracing technology to meet the contemporary needs of our citizens in line with our pledge to digital transformation of the country as we race towards achieving the $1 trillion economy ambition of the President Tinubu.”
He underscored that Nigerians in diaspora is an integral part of our national fabric, which contributes immensely to our development and therefore should benefit from the landmark achievement of the present administration by bring them to speed and traction of emerging digital development.
He said: “Hence, it is our duty to ensure they have access to services that match the highest standards of professionalism and efficiency.
“As a government, we will continue to uphold transparency without compromising security in all our operations.
“This launch is only the beginning; we are poised to expand these reforms by bringing government services closer to all Nigerians.
“We look forward to a future where every Nigerian, whether at home or abroad, benefits from our efforts to modernize and humanize government services.”
