In an effort to reduce delays in passport collection, the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have joined forces to improve the turnaround time for passport issuance.
During a recent visit to the NIS Service command headquarters in Abuja, the Postmaster General of the Federation and CEO of NIPOST, Hon. Adeyemi Adepoju expressed the necessity of this collaboration.
He highlighted NIPOST’s integrated service delivery model, which aims to provide various government services and information in a convenient one-stop shop environment through multiple channels at selected post office locations nationwide.
As part of the proposal, the NIS will leverage NIPOST’s infrastructure for passport collection and utilise the postal network as an e-fulfilment centre to enhance the digital economy.
The postmaster-general emphasised that the collaboration would establish a sustainable and integrated framework for e-Passport processes, courier services and address verification validation. This initiative aims to harmonise various e-government initiatives within the agency while reinforcing productivity synergy with the NIS.
In response, the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Caroline Adepoju praised NIPOST for its notable achievements. She commended the development of an address verification system, considering it a significant breakthrough for identity management and a vital initiative for combating forensic crime. Additionally, she acknowledged NIPOST’s standardised digital postcode system, which will greatly assist in passport issuance.
Furthermore, she affirmed the NIS’s commitment to exploring avenues for strategic partnerships that align with its mission to serve Nigerians.
Adepoju expressed her belief that the collaboration would address the challenges faced by individuals during passport registration, reduce waiting times for biometric data capture, and streamline the passport processing procedure, alleviating the difficulties encountered by Nigerian citizens in obtaining their passports.
Both the postmaster-general and the acting comptroller-general agreed to develop a framework for their working relationship in the near future, solidifying their commitment to improving the passport collection process.
