Passport chaos in Lagos: Immigration Services to open more offices!

The Acting Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Services, Caroline Adepoju, has announced plans to establish additional passport offices in Lagos State to cater to the high volume of passport applicants in the state.

Adepoju issued a warning to immigration officers, cautioning them against engaging in passport racketeering and other unprofessional conduct, and emphasized that officers found guilty would face sanctions.

In a statement released on Sunday, Adepoju addressed immigration officers during a parade at the Ikoyi passport office in Lagos. She urged them to strictly adhere to passport processing procedures and prioritize border security.

Adepoju emphasized the importance of providing prompt and dignified service to all passport applicants. She stressed that there should be no unnecessary delays or mistreatment of applicants. Recognizing the concerns raised by both Nigerians and immigration personnel regarding personnel welfare and passport issues, Adepoju expressed her commitment to addressing these concerns. She stated, “We will establish more passport point offices, especially in Lagos where the population is high, to address the issue of passports.”

Deputy Comptroller Sanni Jega, the Passport Control Officer, also emphasized that applicants should not engage with touts but should instead register online for passport applications. He further reassured the public that there is no scarcity of passport booklets.

The establishment of additional passport offices in Lagos State aims to improve efficiency and reduce the burden on existing facilities, considering the high demand for passports in the state. Adepoju’s emphasis on professionalism and adherence to procedures reflects a commitment to improving service delivery and addressing the concerns raised by both applicants and immigration personnel.