The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has pledged to lend his support to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) over its issues with the processing of international passports.
Sanwo-Olu in a press statement signed by his spokesman, Gboyega Akosile restated his administration’s commitment to supporting the NIS in easing passport processing in Lagos state.
The governor made the pledge following the NIS acting Comptroller General, Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju’s declaration of a State of Emergency over the crisis related to obtaining international passports.
Adepoju announced the declaration on Friday via an official statement signed by the NIS spokesperson, Tony Akuneme in Abuja.
According to the statement, Adepoju knew more about the problems Nigerians face in obtaining international passports, whether fresh or renewal during her working visit to Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu thereafter pledged to support the NIS on the processing of passports while also urging them to be “visa-friendly and ensure that the Nigerian visa is not difficult for foreigners to obtain.”
“The Lagos State Government would collaborate with the NIS to address issues which included the provision of land for staff residence and passport offices, furniture for offices, and a good working environment for staff among others,” Akosile wrote.
“”That is towards their bid to make the federal agency more effective in meeting the needs of Lagosians and Nigerians.”
Akosile further noted that the governor spoke on Friday when the leadership of the NIS led by its acting Comptroller General, Adepoju, paid him a courtesy visit at the Lagos House in Ikeja.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu enjoined the NIS to show dynamism and put innovative ideas in place using technology to make the visa application and issuance easy for investors in the international community to come to Nigeria and Lagos in particular,” Akosile added.
Wishing Adepoju success in her new assignment, Sanwo-Olu implored the NIS to judiciously utilise the support provided by the Lagos State Government.
“The governor also tasked the Nigeria Immigration Service on proper documentation of migrants in Nigeria, adding that the agency should embark on advocacy programmes for people, especially migrants to be law-abiding and desist from committing crimes,” Akosile said.
Adepoju meanwhile recently stated that the NIS is leveraging technology and instituting robust administrative measures to enhance the Passport application and issuance process.
She urged all Nigerians to remain patient and cooperate with the NIS as it takes decisive steps to address the Passport crisis.
The NIS boss also assured the public that efforts are being made to ensure that every eligible Nigerian who requires a Passport can obtain one in a timely manner.
