The surge of Japa syndrome continues into the new year, with a total of 32,462 Nigerians applying for international passports and submitting their documents through the Nigeria Immigration Service site between January 8 and 21, 2024.
According to Caroline Adepoju, the Comptroller-General of Immigration Service, approximately 15,113 applications have been approved for biometric capture and production, constituting fifty per cent of the total applications.
During a visit to Ikoyi and Alausa passport offices, Adepoju informed journalists that out of the 32,462 applications, 11,505 were awaiting approval, while 3,406 applicants who made payments were yet to book appointments. Additionally, 1,438 applications were queried for various reasons.
Adepoju emphasized that the automation of passport applications is not a new concept, but the novelty lies in the online uploading of supporting documents. She highlighted the success rate of the new process, with only a four per cent rejection rate due to potential errors made by applicants, and assured that the help desk is operational round the clock.
She credited the collaborative efforts of the Nigeria Immigration Service, technical partners, service providers, and other stakeholders in implementing the reform on the automation of passport processes, which has been in effect since the inception of the enhanced e-passport issuance in 2020.