Obtaining the Nigerian passport without tears

The 40 per cent increase approved by the federal government in fees for the Nigerian international passport is ill-timed as it will only add to the tax and other financial burdens of citizens and make them poorer. That is a far cry from the aspirations of the average Nigerian in this period of runaway inflation of essential commodities, including basic food items. Certainly, the government could have been more sensitive given that the harsh economic environment prevalent in the country is forcing many youths to look for survival and greener pastures abroad. The government action is yet another demonstration that the government is not fully appreciative of the plight of Nigerians; it will be worthwhile for President Bola Tinubu to consider a reversal of the price policy.

Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout the country and shall not be refused entry to or exit from Nigeria, as enshrined in Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution, By article 12(2) of the African Charter, and the Supreme Court decision in the case of Director, SSS v. Olisa Agbakoba, possessing a Nigerian passport is a fundamental right (not a privilege) of a Nigerian citizen. Therefore, an increase in the fees for obtaining a Nigerian passport would, in effect, prevent some Nigerians from obtaining the passport, thus violating their right to enter and exit Nigeria.

Therefore, rather than increasing the fees for obtaining a Nigerian passport, the NIS and the Federal Government should address the challenges and obstacles to the issuance and obtainment of passports in Nigeria. Simply put, the authorities should make the Nigerian passport affordable and accessible to Nigerians. The process of obtaining a passport can be time-consuming due to lengthy bureaucratic procedures. Applicants often face long wait times for appointments, processing, and issuance. Bribery and corruption are significant issues that hinder the issuance and obtainment of passports in Nigeria. Many NIS officials demand illegal payments or offer faster processing in exchange for money. They often inflate the official cost of obtaining a passport by demanding additional unofficial fees or “facilitation” charges, making the process more expensive than it should be.
 
Frequently, there is a shortage of passport booklets, leading to delays. Applicants may be told to wait weeks or even months for new supplies to arrive. They often receive inconsistent information from officials, which can lead to confusion and repeated trips to the passport office. The online appointment system is often oversubscribed, making it difficult for applicants to secure a timely appointment. Passport offices in Nigeria are concentrated in major cities, making it difficult for people in rural or remote areas to access services without travelling long distances. Nigerians living abroad often face challenges renewing their passports due to limited consular services, corruption, inefficiency, and issues with delays and shortages of booklets.

Therefore, the government should review and simplify the passport application process to reduce unnecessary, time-consuming bureaucratic bottlenecks. The government should strictly enforce anti-corruption measures in immigration and passport offices. The paradox is that nobody is doing anything to sanitise passport issuance despite promises by the minister in charge. To curb or mitigate corruption in Immigration, the government should strengthen monitoring and enforcement within the passport issuance offices. This could involve undercover operations, increased transparency, and the establishment of anti-corruption hotlines. Additionally, there should be an increase in the number of trained personnel at passport offices to reduce waiting times and improve service delivery. It is also necessary to decentralise more passport offices, especially in underserved areas, to reduce congestion, make the process more accessible, and enable rural dwellers to easily access the passport office to procure their passports.
 
The authorities should enhance the procurement and distribution processes to ensure a steady supply of passport booklets. The NIS should invest in robust and reliable IT infrastructure to minimise system failures and technical glitches. Additionally, they should carry out public campaigns to educate the public on the correct procedures, costs, and timelines for obtaining a passport, thereby reducing misinformation. The NIS should implement a system to prioritise applicants with urgent needs, such as medical emergencies or urgent travel. The capacity of Nigerian embassies and consulates should be enhanced to handle passport renewals more efficiently. The online appointment system should be upgraded to handle higher volumes and ensure that slots are fairly distributed.
 
There is no doubt that the formulation and implementation of strategic reforms by the NIS, in conjunction with the Ministry of Interior, will alleviate the frustration and distress experienced by passport applicants in Nigeria and abroad.