By Daniel Edu
Despite assurances from the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, that passport issuance in Lagos would take a mere two weeks, the reality on the ground remains quite different. The promised online portal for tracking passport applications and addressing delays has yet to materialize, and passport processing times continue to stretch far beyond the pledged timeframe.
A recent visit to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) office in Alausa, Lagos, revealed a scene of crowded waiting areas, with applicants enduring long queues and hours under the hot sun. While NIS staff claimed the situation had improved slightly, the wait remains a challenging ordeal for many.
Some applicants expressed frustration, regretting not opting to pay extra fees to expedite their applications. This raises questions about the efficiency of the passport processing system and whether the promised improvements have truly taken hold. Despite efforts to clear a backlog of applications, long wait times and preferential treatment for those willing to pay extra fees persist, highlighting the challenges that passport applicants continue to face.
