The minister of interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) cleared about 60,000 passports in four days.
The minister stated this yesterday (Tuesday) when the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.
Spokesman for the minister, Mr Alao Babatunde, quoted Tunji-Ojo in a statement as saying that the number was out of the over 200,000 pending passport applications.
Recall that the minister had last Wednesday issued a two-week ultimatum to the NIS to clear about 200000 pending passport applications.
Addressing his guest, the minister said: “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 two-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.”
Earlier, Edu said the visit was informed by the need for the two ministries to collaborate in reducing human trafficking.
She added that the ministry of interior is in the best position to solve issues of human trafficking as it superintends plays a supervisory role in the NIS.
Responding, Tunji-Ojo said the ministry of interior welcomed such partnership and commended Edu for the initiative and assured her of his support.
“There is a lot of work to be done and we cannot work in silos as the President has directed.
“We are not just working on humanitarian endeavours such as human trafficking; NIS must help us change the story completely.
“We may only have to expand it to include the welfare of inmates in our correctional centres 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.
