Federal Government has issued over 3.5 million passports in under two years and saved more than ₦1 billion annually through system reforms.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known at the inauguration of the ministry’s new passport front office in Abuja.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the reforms align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to boost efficiency, security, and overall service delivery.
“This is a major reform. We no longer pay contractors for services Nigerians can now perform themselves. The money remains within government,” he said.
The minister revealed that 3,080,141 passports were issued locally and 466,117 in the diaspora since August 2023.
He also announced that enhanced e-passport centres had increased from 26 to 44 nationwide, and from five to 47 overseas.
“We have ended passport scarcity. Never again will Nigerians queue endlessly or be denied access to identification,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo declared that by July 31, all SEPAC and TWP applications must be completed online, and manual processing would be outlawed from that date.
“This government must know what it’s selling and to whom. Biometrics and transparency are non-negotiable. We are not in 1925; this is 2025,” he added.
The minister commended Iris Smart Technologies for providing advanced equipment at no cost to the government.
He also appreciated ministry directors and technical teams, urging their continued support for improving service and public trust.
