Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo paid an unannounced visit on Tuesday to the Nigerian Immigration Service passport office in Gwagwalada, Abuja, expressing concern over persistent delays in passport processing and warning against the collection of unofficial fees
During his inspection of the VIP and Children’s section, Tunji-Ojo interacted with both staff and applicants, questioning why many people were still waiting long after the office was expected to begin operations.
“I don’t want to hear that you are collecting money for diesel or paper. Nigerians have paid for their passports completely. Serve them diligently,” he instructed.
The minister noted his dissatisfaction that only a handful of applicants had been attended to hours after the office opened, despite the section being intended for faster service.
“So by 9:30am, I expect to see at least one or two applicants served. I can see people waiting downstairs. Our job is to be efficient,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He also probed the pace of enrolment and biometric capturing, emphasizing that each applicant should be processed in a matter of minutes. “How long does it take to do an enrolment? Three minutes. So three times seven, that is twenty-one minutes,” he calculated.
Immigration officers explained that although the office was scheduled to open at 8am, operations only started around 9am after the generator was turned on.
The minister criticised the practice of completing enrolment for all applicants before beginning biometric capturing, urging that both tasks should be performed simultaneously to reduce waiting time.
“Some of these people still need to go to work or attend to other matters. Why must you wait until everyone is enrolled before you start capturing?” he asked.
Describing the delays as unacceptable, Tunji-Ojo said: “You are wasting people’s precious time. Time is money. Time is expensive.”
He also pointed out the under-utilisation of the VIP and Children section, suggesting applicants in other sections could be redirected to ease congestion. “It will not cost you anything if you use this place for them,” he said.
The minister concluded by stressing that passport offices must uphold efficiency and fairness. “Nigeria has no VIP. When you wear this uniform, you wear a uniform of sacrifice. You are here to work for the people,” he said.
Interior minister, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, paid an unscheduled visit to the Nigeria Immigration Service office, Gwagalada, Abuja. pic.twitter.com/dkk2bU954g
— Elelu Ayoola (@EleluAyoola) January 20, 2026
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