The federal government has declared that the complete contactless passport application process is ready to commence, with courier delivery of documents to applicants.
This was revealed by the Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on Monday, January 8, on Channels Television’s “Politics Today”.
He said: “Starting March 8, Nigerians will no longer have to come to our offices for their biometric.
“They can do it from the comfort of their homes and have their passports delivered to them.”
Tunji-Ojo said this a few hours after the public gained access to the automated online passport application, fulfilling his pledge from September 2023.
He explained that the process was in phases, noting: “The whole solution is almost ready. We have phase one, phase two, and phase three. This is phase one that we have delivered.
“Phase two is the one in the diaspora. The one in the diaspora will be delivered on February 8.
“Then phase three is the contactless biometric whereby you don’t even need to go again and that’s March 8.
“I guarantee you that in two months’ time, you sit at home, do your biometrics, fill in your delivery address and we send it to you via courier.”
The minister expressed optimism that the process of applying for a passport in Nigeria will soon become much more streamlined and said that Nigerians should hold the ministry to its promises.
He added: “The Ministry of Interior is poised towards delivery of every promise that we made.
“With this now, the only thing you need to do there: you have an appointment, you just go there, take your biometrics. No picture and nobody is looking at your documents.”