Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, has taken decisive action to address the challenges faced by Nigerians in obtaining passports. In a surprise working visit to the Lagos State command of the service, she declared a state of emergency on passport issuance and unveiled a comprehensive plan to tackle the issue effectively. These urgent measures aim to enhance the passport application process and improve service delivery for the citizens of Nigeria.
The gravity of the passport crisis was emphasized during Adepoju’s visit to Lagos, as highlighted in a statement by NIS spokesman Tony Akuneme. As part of her visit, she inaugurated a state-of-the-art visa on arrival lounge at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport. This notable event demonstrated her commitment to enhancing the overall travel experience for visitors entering Nigeria. Additionally, she conducted an unscheduled visit to the Alausa passport office to gain firsthand knowledge of the situation on the ground.
The comptroller-general stressed the imperative need to eliminate all obstacles that impede the passport application process. Adepoju emphasized that the NIS top management is fully dedicated to addressing institutional and technology-based challenges to ensure a more efficient and streamlined service delivery. By doing so, they aim to provide Nigerians with a seamless passport application experience.
Recognizing the significance of collaboration and community engagement, Adepoju embarked on a grassroots sensitization initiative with traditional rulers as her main focus. To kickstart this effort, she paid a visit to the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, seeking the cooperation of traditional rulers in raising awareness about the menace of human trafficking. Together, they aim to initiate joint efforts to combat this grave issue and safeguard the well-being of Nigerian citizens.
Acting Comptroller-General Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju has taken swift action to address the challenges faced by Nigerians in obtaining passports. Through her surprise working visit to the Lagos State command of the NIS, she has declared a state of emergency on passport issuance and unveiled a comprehensive plan to tackle the issue effectively. By implementing urgent measures, collaborating with traditional rulers, and prioritizing community engagement, Adepoju aims to enhance the passport application process and improve service delivery for the citizens of Nigeria.