The Federal Government of Nigeria has activated a passport tracking system that allows applicants to monitor and know the status of their application online.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola disclosed this during the passing out parade of the 47th Basic Superintendent Course, 2021/2022 at the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) training school in Kano State on Tuesday, 24th May 2022.
He said, “One of the challenges of the NIS in the recent past is in the issuance of the Nigerian passport. I am, however, happy that we have overcome this and have now put in place a seamless passport administration system.
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“We have also activated a tracking system that allows applicants to monitor and know the status of their application online.”
The minister who was represented by the Commissioner of the Civil Defence, Customs, Fire Service and Immigration Board, Emmanuel Bassey further stated that before the end of the year, the NIS would boast of a fully digital application system that would remove any stress in the process.
“Let me reiterate my appeal to Nigerians to follow laid down regulations on passport application by going through the NIS online portal.
“Those who go through touts and unscrupulous NIS officials are undermining our effort to eliminate corruption and institute a stress-free application system.
“It is, therefore, your patriotic duty to go through the official channel and avoid any practice that subverts the due process.”
The Minister hinted that their engagement with the NIS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening internal security of which the country’s borders were an integral part.
According to him, without secure borders, no security measure could work, saying external criminally-minded persons can infiltrate the country and escape at will if the borders are not well secured.
He equally observed that diseases spread from one country to the other through cross border movements.
Aregbesola urged the personnel to put the training and indoctrination to use in manning the border.
“You need to know what the organization you have joined, the NIS, is all about. As you have been taught, your main mission is to man the nation’s borders.” he added.
He therefore lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his support to the ministry and by extension, the NIS.
The Minister also commended the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI) of the NIS for his professionalism, diligence, patriotism and the sterling way he had handled the affairs of the Service since his assumption of duty.
Earlier on the occasion, the acting CGI, Idris Jere advised the officers to always be guided by the rules governing the operations of the Service premised on honesty and professionalism.
Jere thanked the Minister of Interior and the Government for the continuous support accorded the Service in its operations and manpower development activities.
Speaking also, the Commandant of the School, Comptroller Ado Rano, stated that the 548 cadets were taken through modern Border Security and Migration Management training, including physical drills to make them fit for the tasks ahead.
He stressed that members of the directing staff of the school demonstrated uncommon commitment during the course and thanked the CGI for the opportunity.
It’s noteworthy that heads of various security agencies, traditional rulers and members of the public graced the occasion.
The introduction of a passport digital tracking system is indeed a welcome development, to assert the least. It couldn’t have come at a better time than now the global community is drastically switching into the digitized sector.
However, such a measure shouldn’t stop at merely pronouncing its existence. Hence, the government and all relevant authorities, such as the NIS, must make efforts to ensure apt implementation as well as adequate sustenance in the long run.