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Home Delivery Of Passports To Start In June – Minister
Home Delivery Of Passports To Start In June – Minister
The Nigerian government is set to launch a home delivery service for passports starting in June 2024. This initiative was announced by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during his inspection of the electronic gates at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport’s new terminal in Abuja……..CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Key Points of the Announcement:
- Home Delivery Locations:
- Initial rollout in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Abuja.
- For Nigerians in the diaspora, the service will start in the United States and the United Kingdom, following preliminary testing.
- Delay in Implementation:
- The delay was attributed to the absence of a dedicated data center for the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
- Previously, NIS relied on a private company’s data center, which was deemed unsuitable for long-term national security and data integrity.
- Data Center Development:
- A new data center has been constructed to ensure the integrity and security of biometric data.
- This development is crucial for maintaining national security and ensuring that NIS has full control over the country’s biometric data.
Minister’s Statements:
“We have completed the whole solution but when we came on board, we realized that the data center was not really there. We were leveraging on a private company’s data center, and we appreciate them for that assistance. We think that it is better to create a permanent solution to problems rather than quick fixes.
“We could have done it in February, but we had to build our data center from scratch to keep the integrity of our data and national security intact. This is more important. It is disgraceful that NIS is 61 years old and the custodian of biometric data of Nigeria, and we believe that NIS should be in charge of the data of Nigeria. It is not acceptable that this data is domiciled with a third party and that is why we have been able to do this,” Tunji-Ojo said.
Progress and Future Plans:
- Data Center: The new data center has been constructed, ensuring that the passport delivery system is now secure and reliable.
- Electronic Visa: The final presentation of the electronic visa has been completed. This will reduce the visa processing time from 72 hours to 48 hours.
- Passport Automation: The automation process for passport issuance is nearing completion, aiming to streamline the entire process and enhance service delivery.
Historical Context:
This announcement comes nine months after the minister initially declared that home delivery of passports would commence by February 2024. In October 2023, Tunji-Ojo had stated that starting in February 2024, Nigerians would be able to have their passports delivered to their homes, offices, or any location of their choice.
Conclusion:
The introduction of home delivery for passports marks a significant step towards improving the efficiency and accessibility of passport services in Nigeria. By ensuring the integrity and security of biometric data through a dedicated data center, the government aims to enhance national security while providing convenient services to its citizens both at home and abroad.
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exam, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple daily sessions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged examination officials to remain highly committed and professional, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their dedication.
He gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock exam.
Oloyede said many of the issues recorded during the mock exercise were due to poor assessment of centres by some technical officials.
He further stated that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally, particularly in handling exam materials and submitting timely reports.
Reiterating JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, he warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He also disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed to protect the integrity of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometrics cannot be verified, he added, will be rescheduled to write the exam at approved centres.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began slightly behind schedule at about 8:40 a.m.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, on Thursday inspected security deployments at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the inspection is part of proactive measures to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and hitch-free conduct of the ongoing examinations.
The UTME is scheduled to run nationwide from April 16 to 18, 2026.
During the exercise, CP Sanusi assessed security arrangements put in place to safeguard candidates, examination officials, and CBT facilities.
He also engaged with centre supervisors, assuring them of adequate security presence throughout the examination period.
Adeh added that the CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, warning that any attempt to disrupt the examinations would be met with decisive action in line with the law.
Over 700 former terrorists who have undergone deradicalisation and rehabilitation are set to be reintegrated into their communities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigerian military has also dismissed reports alleging that beneficiaries of Operation Safe Corridor are being recruited into military institutions.
According to African Independent Television, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, made this known during a media tour of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre in Gombe, North-East Nigeria.
He said many Nigerians still misunderstand the Federal Government’s structured counter-terrorism initiative, which is designed to restore peace in communities affected by insurgency.
Brigadier-General Ali explained that the programme focuses on rehabilitation and peaceful reintegration of repentant individuals into society.
During the tour, some of the participants also shared accounts of their involvement in offences that led to their admission into the programme.
The facility inspection was part of preparations for the graduation of over 700 clients who have completed the deradicalisation and rehabilitation process and are set for reintegration.
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