An appointment-based entry policy, into passport offices across the country has been implemented by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
The policy was announced at a workshop for officers and men of the Provost and Servicom Units of NIS Zone A Lagos, organized by officer in-charge of the zone, Assistant Comptroller-General of Immigration, Olakunle Osisanya on Wednesday, 11 August, 2022.
In his remarks, the NIS Comptroller General, Idris Jere explained that the objective of the workshop was to stress the need to respect the appointment system.
“Henceforth, entrance into the passport offices would be based strictly on applicant’s ability to provide evidence of appointment and collection dates”, he announced.
The NIS chief who was represented by Modupe Anyalichi, Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of passport and other travel documents, said the integrity of the appointment system would be monitored and that any officer caught extorting would face discipline.
Jere further advised applicants for passports to apply ahead of time by logging into the NIS portal.
According to him, “Applicants should fill the application form, make payment, choose a date, processing centre and proceed to the centre on the chosen date with the required documents”.
While warning officers to desist from every form of extortion as well as cutting corners in the processing of passports, Jere directed personnel working in passport offices to maintain a high level of discipline and professionalism in their conduct.
NIS officials at the workshop included Lagos Command Comptroller Mani Bagiwa; Murtala Muhammed International Airport Comptroller Adeola Adesokan; Passport Control Officer Ikoyi, AO Bewaji; Lagos Command Passport Comptroller Udoh Robert, among others