FG to launch contactless passport application service in four states

FG to launch contactless passport application service in four states

 Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, says the federal
government will launch the contactless passport application service in four
states in January 2025.

 

Speaking on The Morning Show, an Arise Television programme
on Wednesday, Tunji-Ojo said the experimental phase of the project would be
launched in Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, and Kano states.

 

The minister said the contactless passport application
service will be rolled out internationally to Nigerians in the United States,
United Kingdom, Italy, and France, following its successful launch in Canada.

 

He added that a phased rollout allows the government to
refine the system, ensuring its reliability before expanding access to all.

 

“I come from a tech management consulting background and in
my experience, you don’t launch a project of that magnitude all over at the
same time,” Tunji-Ojo said.

 

“There will be what we call the system shock. And once
there’s a system shock, it erodes the benefit that you aim to derive.

 

“So, we decided that before we open it up to the entire
world, let’s start with Canada. And as I speak to you, we’re already producing
passports based on the contactless system in Canada.

 

“By January, we’re taking it to four countries, which
include UK, United States, Italy, and France. And of course in Nigeria, we’re
opening it up in Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, and Kano.”

 

The minister acknowledged initial technical issues with the
service in Canada, but assured that glitches have been fixed through “patching”
and continuous corrections on the system.

 

He noted that the moment the system is perfect, it would
become “a legacy for this particular administration and something Nigerians can
be proud of forever”.

 

“This is why we have adopted a cautious approach towards the
project or else people will jump on it and at the end of the day, the
frustration can even lead to the failure of the process,” Tunji-Ojo added.

Source: FG to launch contactless passport application service in four states

 - NigerianEye
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