Aregbesola, Abike Dabiri, Harp On Acceleration Of Backlog Of Passport Applications

• The former Osun State Governor explained that the Ministry of Interior is embarking on massive reforms, particularly in the area of passport application and issuance.

Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has stated the commitment of his ministry to clearing the backlog of Passport applications before the end of the first half of the year, emphasising that the Nigerian Passport is the strongest instrument of Sovereignty, Nationality and Citizenship.

As gathered by EKO HOT BLOG, Aregbesola was speaking when he received the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Management Staff of the Commission in Abuja.

The former Osun State Governor explained that the Ministry of Interior is embarking on massive reforms, particularly in the area of passport application and issuance. He stressed that a regime of not more than 72 Hours Express Passport Processing is underway, According to the Minister, “whoever holds a Nigerian Passport is a bonafide Citizen who must be treated with dignity and respect.”

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The Minister, who also spoke on Managed Migration, promised to work with relevant agencies to see that Migration is profitable to the migrant and to the country of stay and homeland. The Minister also hailed NIDCOM for her giant strides so far, describing the Commission as, “a veritable tool for strong and worthy engagement with the Nigerian Diaspora.”

Speaking on the issue of historic Africans in diaspora whose forefathers were taken away as slaves, and who had done their DNA which identified them as Nigerians and are requesting Nigerian citizenship , the Minister said the issue would be looked at holistically.

Reacting, the Chairman/CEO NIDCOM, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa lauded the Minister’s effort in eliminating the bottlenecks that was involved hitherto, with regard to passport application and issuance in the country.

The NiDCOM Boss also commended the initiative behind the Ten Year Validity period passport introduced as the first of its kind in Nigeria. She said, “this is cheering news for Nigerians in the Diaspora as they need not bother to renew their passport for ten years”

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She noted that the COVID-19 restrictions which hamstrung issuance of passports to Nigerians had posed serious difficulties for them and commended the Ministry for measures taken to clear the backlog.

While informing the minister of the setting up of Diaspora focal offices in 33 states of the federation, the NIDCOM Boss also sought the participation of the Ministry in some programs and engagements with Nigerians in the Diaspora which include: National Diaspora Day Celebrations, Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit, Quarterly Diaspora Lecture Series, among others.