The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has stated that the Nigerian immigration service has cleared 60,000 passport backlogs within four working days.
According to the Daily Trust, this was disclosed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister,Alao Babatunde, who quoted Tunji-Ojo, on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, on a courtesy call.
He claimed that the reason for the visit was her ministry’s desire to collaborate with the interior ministry to significantly reduce human trafficking and other related issues.
“We are not just working on humanitarian endeavours such as human trafficking; our NIS must help us change the story completely.
“When we came on board, the passport crisis was an embarrassment. And we said, It cannot continue.
“As of this morning, I can tell you that about 60,000 passport backlogs have been cleared, specifically 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.
“So, you can be assured that our ministry is ready to work with you on any solution we consider thoughtful and progressive like the ones you have shared.
“We may only have to expand it to include the welfare of inmates in our correctional homes as they are Nigerians as well.
“Let’s see how they can benefit from your welfare packages. Of course, there is a lot we can achieve together”, he said.
