The automated passport application of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) would go live in Abuja on January 8.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement on Monday during an inspection of NIS facilities in Abuja.

The minister was accompanied by the Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Mrs Wuraola Adepoju.

The programme would give applicants a convenient and secure experience in passport application. The new process would also reduce human interface in the passport application process.

Applicants to get passports within three weeks – Immigration CG

“We’re ready to go live. We are starting training, and on January 8, the solution will be live and direct for Nigerians to have a wonderful feeling, a sweet experience based on Mr. President’s Renewed Hope.

“We have been able to reduce human contact in passport acquisition to the minimum,” the minister said.

On efforts to tackle forged documents in passport applications, Tunji-Ojo said the Immigration Service had deployed document verification personnel across all local government areas in the country.

According to him, “This action attempts to thoroughly scrutinize passport applications and prevent the submission of fake documents.

“The automation of the passport application process is consistent with the government’s initiatives to use technology to improve service delivery and security.”

The Star